Today I am sharing about three practices I have started using in my classroom that I would call innovative. These practices also leave the students at least as tired as the teacher at the end of the day. Sometimes they are more tired than me, and I am energized by all of their hard work!
1. BreakoutEDU takes the concept of an Escape Room and makes it applicable to education. Teachers create or use pre-created games (available on the website for free) aligned with teaching standards to set up locked boxes for students to "break something out of". Usually, students just break out a sign that says "We Broke Out". They follow clues requiring them to work together, collaborate, and problem solve (all 21st-century skills). I can't believe the level of engagement out of students who are typically not engaged in anything that requires reading. I teach intervention reading to 7th and 8th grade students. Notice in the pictures below how students are leaning in, wanting to be a part of what is happening. How is it new? Most of my students have never participated in activities like this, and I haven't used it to teach prior to a little less than a year ago. How is it better? BreakoutEDU requires students to move, collaborate, problem solve, and think critically WHILE involved in learning curricular standards. And best of all, at the end of the period, student brains are a bit tired, but excited and begging to do another Breakout! Also, I fell so in love with BreakoutEDU that I began showing it to other educators across Indiana at conferences when given the opportunity!
2. Open Devices During Class Discussions: Recently I have started having designated students have a device open during class discussion time. So many interesting questions pop up during discussions, and having instant access to Google has made our discussions much more productive. How is it new? Students are used to discussing with no devices. How is it better? We have instant access to answers, improved search skills, and increased engagement during discussions. And best of all, students are doing the work instead of me (later, at home, when I should be blogging)!
3. Google Hangouts: I began using Google Hangouts in October to allow students to connect with other students across the world as part of the Global Read Aloud. Since then, we have used it from Indiana to connect with classes in Canada, Virginia, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico. It has been a fantastic experience for my students. The other teacher(s) and I decide what topic we will be discussing (theme of a book, opinions on a topic, etc.). We then have the students work in groups of 2 or 3 to connect with each other. It has been amazing to watch students who are typically not wanting to share in class discuss things intelligently with this format. How is it new? Prior to using Google Hangouts, my students were forced to only discuss with peers within their classroom. How is it better? We work on standards while building empathy and understanding of people around the world. Best of all, I get to watch and facilitate while my students do amazing work!
No comments:
Post a Comment