How to Keep Kids Engaged in Class

31 08 2009

Since a new school year is upon us, Edutopia recently posted this. Click the link for more in-depth explanations and exampels. A brief and quick summary is below.

10 Rules of Engagement

1. Start Class with a Mind Warm-Up

2. Use Movement to get Kids Focused

3. Teach Students how to Collaborate Before Expecting Success

4. Use Quickwrites When You Want Quiet Time and Student Reflection

5. Run a Tight Ship When Giving Instructions

6. Use a Fairness Cup to Keep Students Thinking

7. Use Signaling to Allow Everyone to Answer Your Question

8. Use Minimal-Supervision Tasks to Squeeze Dead Time out of Regular Routines

9. Mix up Your Teaching Styles

10. Create Teamwork Tactics That Emphasize Accountability