How to Keep Students Engaged After a Long Summer

Whew…what a short summer.  Well it felt like a short summer but it was a full summer filled with heat, rain, parades, fairs, camping trips, road trips, fishing and every other adventure not in the classroom.  Well if you’re thinking about it, your students are thinking about it too!

Well, lets share a quick tip on how to keep students engaged in the classroom and if not engaged, at least keeping a small sliver of attention on class in case they are called upon.

On a trip to Cheyenne, WY last year I asked an instructor how he keeps his students engaged in the classroom. He answered with a very interesting method:

1. Purchase a deck of cards.

2. Distribute one card to each student.

3. Instruct each student to remember their card. (Take the cards back)

4. Now ask a question and when a student answers, have them randomly pull out the next card.

5. Which ever card is pulled is the student who must answer the next question.

6. Repeat and watch students stay attentive as they wonder if their card will be pulled next.

As an instructor you can give students one card for the semester, each period or change them everyday.  It’s up to you.

Is there any other method you use to keep your student engaged in the class when you can tell they are distracted?

Leave a comment below to enter for the $5 cafe card drawing this month.

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The Tired Teacher Ninja: How to Get Your “Teacher Mojo” Back

This post is a paraphrased text version of a presentation put up by Megan Allen, National Board Certified Teacher and the 2010 Florida Teacher of the Year.  She happily spends her days working at a fifth-grade teacher at Shaw Elementary School in Tampa, Florida. Here is her presentation from another website.

(Video) The Tired Teacher Ninja: How to Get Your “Teacher Mojo” Back.

1. Schedule a stop time or work curfew.  It’s important to schedule your own personal play time for reconnecting with friends, exercising or recharging.

2. Set goals outside of work.  Teachers love goals and it’s important to not let your teaching goals consume your whole life.

3. Be comfortable saying “No”. “No” is the word of independence and can help you save your mojo instead of letting others use it and leaving you no time to recharge.

4. “Learn to weed” the garden.  Pull out anything which isn’t necessary or a priority to your goals.  Don’t spend you time getting burnt out on busy work.

5. Break up with your ipad.  Have a set time each day where you put aside technology and focus on yourself.  Set a schedule to stop working on the screen.

6. Pay attention to pace.  Keep your attention to the natural pace of your activity and don’t rush anything.  Don’t burn out working on something which requires time and not compressed energy.

If you liked this, check out Part II here.

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