While teaching the water cycle, a teacher uses a labeled diagram alongside a short explanation to help students understand each step of the process. Which instructional strategy is being used?

Metacognitive strategies involve techniques that help learners think about their own learning processes, such as self-regulation, self-monitoring, and reflection. While these strategies can enhance understanding, the scenario describes a focus on delivering content rather than fostering self-awareness in learning, thus making this option incorrect.

Active learning strategies require students to engage directly in the learning process through activities such as discussions, problem-solving, or hands-on exercises. Although the labeled diagram supports understanding, it does not inherently involve student engagement or participation, which is essential for active learning.

Scalability refers to the ability of an instructional method to be expanded and applied to a larger audience or different contexts effectively. The described approach focuses on a specific lesson format rather than its potential for wider application, making this choice irrelevant in the context of the question.