Teachers sometimes need to think of creative ways to encourage positive student engagement. In a time when technology has taken a forefront in education and our daily lives, it’s hard to keep kids’ attention without something digital in front of them. Check out our list of products that will help you build a more engaged classroom.
Personal Dry Erase Boards
Use small dry erase boards for each student instead of choosing just one student to answer a question. Put up a math problem on the board, give students some time to write out their answers on their dry erase boards, then ask everyone to raise their boards above their heads to show their answers.
Index Cards Make Great Study Cards
Have students create their own personal sets of flashcards as a study tool. This could work with virtually any subject. The students can use their cards to study on their own, at home with a parent, or in class with a study buddy or group.
Question and Answer Ball
Using a soft, safe ball to toss around the class room during review time is a great way to keep students on their toes. Write the topic for the game on the board. Starting with the teacher, toss a ball to one student and ask them a question. Then, once they answer, they toss the ball to the next student and ask them a new question. Continue around the classroom until all the students have participated or review time is over.
Use Post-It Notes for a Weekly Review Board
Create a permanent display area in the classroom that you can use throughout the year. On a weekly basis, give each student a Post-It note and have them write one thing that really stuck with them out of everything they learned that the week. Have them post it to the display area on the board and then read them out loud once everyone is done. It’s a great way to quickly do a review of what was learned that week, while also making students think back about everything they’ve learned.
There are so many ways to encourage student engagement without the use of technology. Visit School Specialty for even more ideas and creative tools to implement in the classroom.