John Milton Gregory, in his 1886 work The Seven Laws of Teaching, outlines seven foundational principles governing effective instruction. Here they are in plain terms:
- Know thoroughly the lesson you wish to teach
A teacher must deeply understand the subject and teach from a well-prepared, clear mind. Wikipedia - Gain and keep the students’ attention and interest
Effective teaching cannot occur without genuine learner engagement. Wikipedia - Use words understood in the same sense by teacher and learner
Clear, shared language is essential for meaningful communication. Wikipedia - Start with what students already know, then proceed step-by-step
New knowledge should be introduced using familiar concepts, gradually moving from the known to the unknown. Wikipedia - Stimulate the learner’s own mental activity
Encourage students to be active, engaged thinkers rather than passive recipients. Wikipedia - Have the student reproduce the lesson mentally in full
The learner should mentally reconstruct the lesson—its parts, justifications, and applications—until they can express it in their own words. Wikipedia - Review and review again—reinforce and deepen understanding
Frequent review ensures correction of misconceptions, strengthens retention, and deepens understanding. Wikipedia
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