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5 Ways to Engage Students with Active Learning in the First 5 Minutes of Class
May 02, 2023
Engaging students through active learning and participation is not just a teaching strategy, it's a mindset that can transform the entire learning experience.
They say first impressions are everything, and as an educator, the first five minutes of your class can set the tone for the rest of the period. That's why it's important to engage your students from the moment they walk through the door. In this blog post, we'll explore five fun and easy ways to get your students excited about learning.
Start with a Question: Starting the class with a question is a great way to immediately engage students in thinking about the topic you will be covering. You can ask an open-ended question, a multiple-choice question, or a true/false question. Here are a few examples:
- For a history class: "What do you think was the most significant event that led to World War II?"
- For a science class: "What do you think are the three most important elements in the periodic table?"
- For an English class: "What is your favorite book, and why do you think it's important?"
Use Visual Aids:
Showing a relevant image or video can help students visualize the concept you will be covering and make connections to their own experiences. Here are a few examples:
- For a math class: Show a short video explaining a difficult concept, such as calculus or geometry.
- For a biology class: Show a diagram of a cell and ask students to label the different parts.
- For a social studies class: Show a map of a specific region or country and ask students to identify key landmarks or historical sites.
Conduct a Quick Poll: Using a polling tool can help you quickly gather students' opinions and start a discussion before diving into the material. Here are a few examples:
- For a political science class: "Do you think the government should increase funding for healthcare? Yes or no?"
- For an economics class: "Do you think raising the minimum wage would be a good idea? Yes or no?"
- For a sociology class: "Do you believe that people are born with innate personality traits, or are they shaped by their environment? Nature or nurture?"
Collaborative Brainstorming:
Having students work in pairs or small groups to brainstorm ideas related to the topic you will be covering can encourage active participation and build on each other's ideas. Here are a few examples:
- For a psychology class: Have students work in pairs to brainstorm different ways to improve memory retention.
- For a literature class: Have students work in small groups to brainstorm different themes in a specific novel or play.
- For a history class: Have students work in pairs to brainstorm different events that led to the American Revolution.
Reflective Writing:
Giving students a minute to reflect on their prior knowledge or experiences related to the topic you will be covering can help them make connections and prepare for the upcoming discussion. Here are a few examples:
- For a music class: Ask students to reflect on their favorite song and why they enjoy listening to it.
- For a health class: Ask students to reflect on their eating habits and identify areas where they could improve.
- For a computer science class: Ask students to reflect on their experience with coding and identify a specific project they would like to work on.
By incorporating these five techniques into your classroom routine, you can create a more engaging and interactive learning environment that encourages student participation and fosters critical thinking skills.
In this blog post, we explore the concept of productive struggle and how it can benefit students in school. We discuss the importance of striking the right balance between challenge and support, and provide strategies for educators and parents to promote productive struggle in their students. From developing a growth mindset to fostering resilience, we explore the many ways in which productive struggle can help students push their limits and achieve their full potential. Join us as we unlock the power of productive struggle and discover the many benefits it can offer students in their academic journey.
The EFFECT framework is a set of six principles that aim to improve teaching and learning by making fundamental shifts in educational practices. These principles include engaging students through active learning and participation, fostering creativity and critical thinking skills, facilitating meaningful feedback and assessment practices, embracing diversity and inclusivity in the classroom, collaborating with students, parents, and other educators, and transforming traditional teaching methods with innovative approaches. By embracing these principles, educators can create a more engaging, collaborative, and student-centered learning environment that prepares students for success in today's rapidly changing and complex world.
Are you passionate about education and want to be an effective leader of change in your school or district? Then, you need to possess the CORE characteristics that enable you to lead your organization through the process of change.
I am beyond thrilled and stoked to announcement my partnership with #RtA. It is a journey that I have been working towards for a number of years and finally have the chance to bring my words, strategies, and practices to life with this book publishing contract. Thank you to Darrin and the team for the opportunity to learn and grow as a new author! More information to come, so be sure to follow our progress on this site or through social media!
Ah, the dreaded worksheet... Students groan at the sight of them, teachers dread the monotony of grading them. It's like the broccoli of the classroom - necessary, but not exactly exciting. But fear not, dear educators! There is hope for a more engaging and enjoyable classroom experience. Here are ten alternatives to worksheets that will have your students excited and eager to learn (and might even make grading a little less painful). So put down that stack of papers, and let's get creative! Worksheets have been a staple in classrooms for decades, but they can become repetitive and boring for both teachers and students. Fortunately, there are many alternatives to worksheets that can engage students, promote active learning, and foster creativity. Here are ten alternatives to a worksheet in the classroom: Interactive Games: Interactive games such as Jeopardy, Kahoot, and Quizlet Live are excellent tools to engage students in a fun and interactive way. They are ideal for reviewing or introducing new concepts. Collaborative Projects: Collaborative projects such as group presentations, group research projects, or group debates can help students develop their teamwork skills while promoting peer-to-peer learning. Manipulatives: Manipulatives such as blocks, cubes, and shapes can help students visualize and understand concepts in a hands-on way. They are ideal for teaching math, geometry, and other subjects that require visual understanding. Mind Maps: Mind maps are visual tools that can help students brainstorm, organize ideas, and make connections between concepts. They are an excellent way to promote critical thinking and creativity Virtual Tours: Virtual tours allow students to explore places they may not be able to visit in person, such as museums, historical sites, or foreign countries. They can be used to teach history, geography, and other subjects. Role-Playing: Role-playing activities can help students develop their communication and interpersonal skills. They can be used to teach social studies, language arts, and other subjects. Debates: Debates can help students develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills. They are an excellent way to teach social studies, government, and other subjects. Field Trips: Field trips can provide students with hands-on learning experiences that they may not get in the classroom. They can be used to teach science, history, and other subjects. Simulations: Simulations such as virtual labs or business simulations can help students learn by doing. They are ideal for teaching science, economics, and other subjects. Experiments: Experiments can help students understand concepts in a hands-on way. They are ideal for teaching science, math, and other subjects that require experimentation. Want some specific examples to check out? Sure! Pick through this list below: Here are some resources to check out that can help you implement these alternatives in your classroom: Interactive Games: Check out Kahoot, Quizlet Live, and Jeopardy Labs. Collaborative Projects: Try using Google Docs, Slides, or Jamboard for group projects. Manipulatives: Check out Math Manipulatives or Lego Education. Mind Maps: Try using MindMeister or Coggle. Virtual Tours: Check out Google Expeditions, National Geographic, or Smithsonian. Role-Playing: Try using Role-Playing Games or Apps. Debates: Check out ProCon.org or Debate.org. Field Trips: Check out Virtual Field Trips or FieldTripZoom. Simulations: Check out PhET Simulations or EconEdLink. Experiments: Check out Science Buddies or Mystery Science. Remember, there are many more resources available online. Don't be afraid to experiment with different tools and activities to find what works best for your students. Good luck! In conclusion, worksheets may have their place in the classroom, but they should not be the only tool used for learning. By incorporating alternative activities, teachers can engage students, promote active learning, and foster creativity.
The traditional grading system has been a fixture in American education for centuries. However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement towards standards-based grading. This new approach to grading seeks to provide a more accurate reflection of a student's knowledge and skills. In this post, we will explore what standards-based grading is, how it differs from traditional grading, and why it is gaining popularity. This is the first of a few posts related to standards-based instruction. What is Standards-Based Grading? Standards-based grading is an approach to assessment that focuses on what students know and can do. It is based on a set of clearly defined learning standards that outline what students are expected to know and be able to do at each grade level. These standards are aligned with state and national standards, ensuring that students are learning what they need to know to succeed in college and the workforce. Under standards-based grading, students are assessed on their mastery of these learning standards. Instead of receiving a letter grade based on their overall performance, they are given a score that reflects their level of mastery of each standard. This allows teachers and parents to see exactly what a student knows and what they need to work on. How is Standards-Based Grading Different from Traditional Grading? Traditional grading is often based on a variety of factors, including homework, class participation, and performance on exams. These factors are combined into an overall grade that is meant to represent a student's overall performance in the class. However, this approach can be misleading because it does not differentiate between what a student knows and what they do not know. Standards-based grading, on the other hand, is focused solely on a student's mastery of the learning standards. This means that students are assessed on what they know and can do, rather than on their completion of homework or their participation in class. This approach provides a more accurate reflection of a student's knowledge and skills and helps teachers identify areas where students need additional support. Why is Standards-Based Grading Gaining Popularity? There are a number of reasons why standards-based grading is becoming increasingly popular in American education. First and foremost, it provides a more accurate reflection of a student's knowledge and skills. This can be particularly helpful for students who struggle in traditional grading systems, as it allows teachers to identify specific areas where they need additional support. In addition, standards-based grading helps to promote a growth mindset in students. When students receive feedback based on their mastery of specific standards, they are better able to understand their strengths and weaknesses. This can help them develop a sense of agency over their own learning and motivate them to work harder to improve. Finally, standards-based grading is aligned with the goals of modern education. As the world becomes increasingly complex and interconnected, it is more important than ever for students to develop a deep understanding of core concepts and skills. Standards-based grading helps to ensure that students are learning what they need to know to succeed in college and the workforce. In conclusion, standards-based grading is a powerful approach to assessment that provides a more accurate reflection of a student's knowledge and skills. By focusing on what students know and can do, rather than on their completion of homework or participation in class, this approach helps to promote a growth mindset in students and ensures that they are learning what they need to know to succeed in college and the workforce. As such, it is a welcome addition to American education and one that is likely to continue to gain popularity in the years to come. Sources: Guskey, Thomas R. “The Case Against Percentage Grades.” Educational Leadership, vol. 73, no. 1, Sept. 2015, pp. 68–72. Marzano, Robert J., and Tammy Heflebower. “A Differentiated Approach to Standards-Based Grading.” Educational Leadership, vol. 69, no. 6, Mar. 2012, pp. 64–69. O'Connor, Ken. “The Case for Standards-Based Grading.” Educational Leadership, vol. 68, no. 2, Oct. 2010, pp. 78–79. Reeves, Douglas B. “The Case Against Grading.” Educational Leadership, vol. 68, no. 2, Oct. 2010, pp. 70–74. Thomas, Tim. “Standards-Based Grading: An Introduction.” Edutopia, George Lucas Educational Foundation, 14 May 2019, https://www.edutopia.org/article/standards-based-grading-introduction. Accessed 3 Mar. 2023. Wormeli, Rick. “Redos and Retakes Done Right.” Educational Leadership, vol. 68, no. 2, Oct. 2010, pp. 34–39.