What if I told you that there are five small, minimal things you can do every day to make your student’s day brighter and their learning experience more positive? Well, there are ! Start making a habit out of these ten actions within your classroom and you’ll notice the difference in your students’ behavior and their attitude towards learning.
1. Greet each student individually at the door.
Acknowledging every one of your students individually and engaging in a short but personal conversation prior to class will make them feel valued and cared for. It will make them feel like their presence in the classroom is appreciated and will make them more excited for school as now they know that you will be waiting for them at the door every day! Below is a great video of a teacher who has personalized handshakes for every one of his students!
Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VctaUNJpT6U
2. Incorporate music into their learning experience.
It is scientifically proven that music affects our mood and energy levels. It is also a powerful tool in children’s happiness. Whenever you get the chance to incorporate music in your classroom, do so! It is not only fun, but it can also help kids learn and retain skills. Your kids will love music days. If you are not sure how to do so, here is an article that can help you make music part of your everyday teachings.
Retrieved from: http://study.com/academy/course/nystce-cst-multi-subject-teachers-of-early-childhood-practice-study-guide.html
3. Introduce tomorrow’s topic at the end of class.
Ending class with an introduction of what you are going to learn or do tomorrow will make your students excited for next class. This is an effective way of keeping their enthusiasm elevated and their interest engaged. They will leave class with next day’s activities marinating in their heads and arrive to school the next day eager and ready to work on that one thing that have been thinking about for so long!
4. Play classroom games.
“Learning” can be a dreadful word for a kid, but “game” never is! Why not mix both? Games can be great tools in helping kids acquire knowledge in an effective and seamless matter. Create small games to help students memorize dates, learn new vocabulary or practice math. Great options are jeopardy, memory, bingo, and scavenger hunts but you can also make up your own!
Retrieved from: http://edsource.org/2015/classes-combining-kindergarten-transitional-kindergarten-pose-challenges/76826
5. Have students do their “rose and thorn”.
Dedicate a few minutes at the end of the week for students to share their best “rose” and worst “thorn” part of the week. This is a very simple exercise but it will help make you form a deeper connection with your students and see how you can better assist them in the future. This will also help students open up and practice their social skills. Try implementing this exercise in your classroom next week!
Isabella Arteaga
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