How can we put some pizazz into our online lessons? Good teachers are always on the lookout for new and better ways to engage their students. But, in the virtual classroom, creativity is essential.
Get…and Keep… the Kids Involved
Lack of student involvement is one of the major criticisms of online learning. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
First, the teacher has to project his/her enthusiasm for the content. Show them why it is important that they really learn what you’re teaching them. Your excitement will be contagious!
Bring the content of your lesson to life with a variety of fast-paced activities, including games, demonstrations, friendly competitions, or an occasional video.
After this “hands on” time, direct your students to record what they have learned in their learning logs. The learning log is key, because this is where you drive home a new skill or concept.
What About Textbook Assignments?
You may be using online Reading textbooks or online resources for your Reading series. Then you know how engaging and effective these tools can be for improved Reading fluency and comprehension. (More on this in a future post.)
But in the content areas, try reading the textbook together after they have learned the content as a review strategy. Also, teach your students how to use their texts as reference books to look up something they forgot how to do.
Don’t feel the pressure to assign workbook pages just because the school provided workbooks. If there is an interesting page with an authentic task, use it . But choose wisely, and keep “seat work” assignments short.
Toys Are Not Just for Playtime
When students are learning from home, they probably don’t have fancy classroom manipulatives to use. Not a problem. Have your students bring some blocks, toy cars, dolls, action figures, dinosaurs, playing cards, balls, Play Doh, or whatever is available, to class. Incorporate these items into your lessons and let the learning begin!
Use the “Jumbo-Tron”
We know students learn from each other. But how to accomplish this in a virtual classroom? Use the the “spotlight” feature in your online platform. Ask volunteers to show and explain what they are doing as their classmates watch them on the “big screen.”
Just Dance, Dance, Dance
Kinesthetic learning is an excellent way to keep your students actively engaged. And it is even more effective in a virtual classroom.
Get them up and out of their chairs. Have them moving throughout the day on various tasks and during frequent breaks.
Use pantomime and Pictionary to review vocabulary. Sing and dance to music while memorizing the times tables or learning the parts of speech. Use toys to apply a concept in Math or Science.
A Great Ending to a Spectacular Week
For a special treat at the end of the week, try hosting a five minute “Dance-A-Thon” with your students right before dismissal. Play a favorite song and let them show off their signature moves. You can even use the spotlight feature to highlight individual dancers.
Next time, we’ll take a look at those pandemic learning deficits we have heard so much about and find some strategies to combat the problem.