3 EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR THE NEW YEAR

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Happy 2021!

I think we are all ready for a refresh, in more ways than one! I ran across this video recently (scroll to the bottom of the page), and while the strategies are staples, they are such good reminders. I hope they will help spruce up things for you this semester. If you aren’t able to access the video, here they are in a nutshell:

1. Get students moving!

Believe it or not, we can still do this in small ways and remain socially distant. Simple strategies like a whip around and asking students to stand when they share allows students the ability to increase oxygenation to their brains.

2. Get students talking more!

They hear our voices way too much. According to research, elementary teachers are talking 80 percent of class time! Get them talking more to each other. They do want to talk, but we need to channel it in beneficial ways. Whether it is online or face-to-face instruction, remember the ones doing the work are the ones doing the learning. Let students do the heavy lifting by talking through concepts and processing their learning.

3. Get 100 percent of students on task!

Let’s ensure we are doing plenty of activities that require students to be actively engaged- no passive bystanders in our classroooms! Also, be sure to avoid taking raised hands with questions, and instead, call on students randomly. This will ensure equity and allow all students to have the opportunity to participate. Check out Flippity for a random name generator and other engaging resources that will work well virtual or in-person.

While not revolutionary, my hope is that these simple reminders sparked some tweaks for your classroom this semester. What would you add to the list?

:) Brandy