3 WAYS TO HAVE MORE FUN IN YOUR CLASSROOM

Years ago, I saw this video for the first time. 

I wanted to play on those piano stairs, too!  And, it got me thinking.  This is something teachers need to see.

Fun matters.  I mean, who doesn’t like to have fun?  Researchers also tells us that it matters.

Neurologist and educator Judy Willis’s  shares the following in her book “Research-Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning: Insights from a Neurologist and Classroom Teacher” (ASCD, 2006)

The truth is that when the joy and comfort are scrubbed from the classroom and replaced with homogeneity, and when spontaneity is replaced with conformity, students’ brains are distanced from effective information processing and long-term memory storage.

The highest-level executive thinking, making of connections, and “aha” moments are more likely to occur in an atmosphere of “exuberant discovery,” where students of all ages retain that kindergarten enthusiasm of embracing each day with the joy of learning.

The human brain and body respond positively to laughter with the release of endorphin, epinephrine (adrenaline), and dopamine, and with increased breathing volume (more oxygen). When a lesson starts with humor, there is more alerting, and the subsequent information is attached to the positive emotional event as an event or flashbulb memory.

https://blackboardandbrush.wordpress.com/creative-teaching/

So, how do we build it in our classrooms while still keeping learning our priority?
 

Be a story teller.

Who doesn’t love a good story?  Of course, we want to stay generally on topic.  Don’t be the teacher who kids love to get talking about themselves only to never return to the objective of the day!  But, wrapping learning around the context of a story builds interest and engagement.

Encourage time to connect.  

Taking just a moment at the end of class to allow kids to share can be powerful in creating connection.  And, very possibly, you will share a few laughs.  If you would like an idea on how to do this check out my post on the topic here.

Ask yourself, "Would I want to do this?"

I often pose this question to teachers.  If you don’t want to do it, why would your students?  It might take a bit more thinking and a creative spin, but chances are you can make most learning more engaging.

So, as you get ready to wrap up your school year, and the kids are solely focused on summer, find some ways to increase your fun capital and watch your engagement increase!