The Grid Method: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastery Learning

You spend hours planning, you deliver the lesson with passion, and still, some students just don’t get it. Meanwhile, others are ready to sprint ahead. It feels like you’re juggling fire while riding a unicycle, right?

We’ve all been there, trust me.

That’s where mastery learning and The Grid Method come in. Mastery learning can change your classroom from a “one-size-fits-all” assembly line into a personalized, student-driven learning environment.

If you’ve been hearing about “mastery learning” and “Grids” but aren’t sure where to start, you’re in the right place. Let’s break down this mastery learning framework together.

What Is Mastery Learning?

At its core, mastery learning flips the traditional model on its head. Instead of racing through the curriculum and hoping students keep up, mastery learning says:

“Not yet is not the same as never.”

Every student deserves the time and support they need to truly understand a concept before moving on. It’s about learning for understanding, not just completion.

In a mastery classroom:

Students progress at their own pace.
Learning targets are clear and transparent.
Mistakes are not dead-ends; they’re opportunities.
Assessment is ongoing, formative, and supportive.
The goal? Mastery for every student — not just the quickest.

Sounds powerful, right?

But you might be thinking: How do I make this happen in a real classroom with 30+ students and limited time?

That’s where The Grid Method comes in. A lot of educators see the value in the philosophy of mastery learning, but don’t see how its possible to actually implement it in a real classroom. This framework is the “how.” This is a systematic way to put all the pieces together in a way that works for you and your students.

What is The Grid Method?

The Grid Method is a strategic, student-centered framework for implementing mastery learning in your classroom.

It provides a Mastery Learning Progression for students to take ownership of their learning journey. At the foundation of The Grid Method is the “Mastery Grid.” Think of this as a self-paced, differentiated learning pathway, laid out in an easy-to-follow grid format.

It should be noted that this is not a random assortment of activities, but a purposefully planned, standards-aligned, tiered learning progression that builds mastery for learners. (Click here to see an example Grid)

Here’s what it looks like in action:

Learning targets (standards) are broken down into manageable chunks, arranged from basic understanding to higher-order thinking.
Utilizing Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (DOK), you ensure alignment to the rigor of learning objectives and state standards.
Students work through each of these “chunks” (squares on the Grid) at their own pace, demonstrating mastery before moving on to the next.
You, as the teacher, become the facilitator and coach, offering targeted support where it’s needed most.

The result? You’ll see students building confidence, owning their progress, truly understanding the material.

How Does The Grid Method Work? Step By Step

Let’s walk through the process.

1. Define Your Learning Targets
Start by identifying the essential standards and skills your students need to master. These become the foundation of your Grid.

Once the standards are identified for your unit (which will become your Grid) you can unpack and develop clear learning targets for each level. Clear learning outcomes / targets should be created for each level of the Grid.

2. Build the Grid
Organize tasks from lower-level skills to higher-level thinking:

Level 1: (DOK 1) Basic definitions, vocabulary, or introductory concepts.
Level 2: (DOK 2) Application of basic skills.
Level 3: (DOK 3) Critical thinking and problem-solving, Analysis
Level 4 (DOK 4): Creation and design thinking
Level 5 (Optional) (DOK 4): Extension and enrichment / Independent Exploration

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3. Provide Clear Directions and Resources
Make sure each box on the Grid is clear and accessible. Students should know exactly what’s expected and where to find the resources they need.

Each box should also have an aligned “check for understanding.” This could be a short quiz, a self-assessment, or a quick teacher check-in. The goal is to ensure students have met the minimum understanding they’re supposed to gain from each box, so they can continue learning without deficit as they complete each box.

4. Emphasize Self-Pacing and Responsibility
Students progress through the Grid at their own pace, with you providing support, feedback, and mini-lessons as needed.

Encourage reflection and goal setting along the way. Students are monitored using some variation of progress monitoring either publicly or privately. You should know where students are at any given time in their progression (on the Grid.)

Here are a few resources for progress monitoring:

5. Celebrate Mastery

Before students move on, they demonstrate mastery through checks for understanding, conversations, or quick assessments. This ensures that learning sticks.

These are meant to be small, manageable chunks of learning, so they should be quick and easy checks…but they should still be celebrated every step of the way!

Why It Works

The Grid Method works because it shifts the focus from teaching to learning.

Instead of asking, “Did I cover it?” you’re asking, “Did they learn it?”

The Grid Method builds:

Student ownership of learning
Teacher clarity in instruction
Differentiation that actually feels manageable
Classroom culture where progress is personal, not comparative

Most importantly? It removes the stigma of failure. “Failure” becomes “feedback,” and students grow because they see their growth.

In a Grid Method classroom, FAIL stands for “FIRST ATTEMPT IN LEARNING.”

Your Next Step

If you’ve ever felt like you’re working harder than your students. If you’re tired of seeing gaps widen despite your best efforts. If you know you need to make a change. It’s time to give mastery learning (and The Grid Method) a try.

Your Next Steps:

Take the free course.
Join the free Facebook group to find other Grid Method teachers.
Shoot me an email with questions.
Build your first Grid.
Start small. Learn alongside your students. Reflect and adjust as needed.

Remember: change doesn’t happen overnight. But with each step, you’ll build a classroom where every student believes success is possible.

About Chad Ostrowski

Chad Ostrowski is the co-founder of the Teach Better Team, and creator of The Grid Method. He is also a co-author of the Teach Better book. But Chad is a middle school science teacher at heart. He now travels the country sharing his story, working with teachers, schools, and districts to help them to reach more students. Chad is also a member of the Teach Better Speakers Network.