Getting the Most Uninterested Students Engaged
I once posed a question to students as an introduction to The Giver by Lois Lowry. “What would it take to make your world perfect?” The most common answer, no school! School can be boring for many students. Well, let me state that differently, the social aspect for students is the highlight of their school day. It's the sitting in class and the actual learning part that they would rather do without (go figure). Wouldn't it be great to push a button that allows students to obtain all knowledge? I wish I could just pour a fountain of smartness into the little darlings. Maybe in the next lifetime.
In their defense, I have observed classes where even I was ready to leave after just a few minutes. It was too boring and teacher-focused! I felt the pain of the students who had to suffer through class periods like this on a daily basis. Then, there have been other classes where I’ve wanted to stay longer and even come back the next day! How do you distinguish your class from one that students consider boring, or maybe I’ll use a euphemism to dress it up. How do you distinguish your class from one that students consider, “dry?” I know, I know, every day, students can’t hang from the ceiling in fun, but can’t we aim for it the majority of the time they are in your classroom?
There are some students that no matter what you do, they are disengaged and inattentive to anything you have to teach. How many times have you spent purposeful hours putting together what you’ve considered, highly engaging lessons, only to realize that some students aren't as interested as you!
Let me see if I can help. Classes should always be student-centered! What lecture? If you are talking more than students, a shift is definitely needed.
We’ve all read books or watched a movie where it started off good, but somewhere along the lines you lost interest, or there have been times where a book or movie started off terrible and you have no idea how it ended because you couldn’t stand another minute of it. Your classroom shouldn’t mimic either of these scenarios. Make sure to keep lessons interactive and engaging. So how do you capture your students’ interest and maintain it?
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Get them up and moving! Students would rather be out of their seat moving around versus sitting idle at their desks. For example, If students are participating in answering selected responses, put the answers choices around the class and allow them to rotate to them, collaborate within their group, and defend their answers. Introducing a concept? Involve students in your examples by making them act out the water cycle, for example. Reading a class book or novel? Allow them to reenact the scene from a different character’s point of view. All in all, get them involved.
Encourage Collaboration Get them talking. Students are going to talk anyway, so why not channel what they are talking about? Use Cooperative Role Cards like the one found in my book Achieving Success in Inner-City Schools. Tasks are delegated and conversations are structured.
Keep them on their toes Stop allowing students to raise their hand to respond to a question. Use a random picker instead! When posing a question, allow students to first collaborate with a partner, and then answer. They have to stay ready. This will ensure you don’t call on the same students and will give those who stay in the shadows an opportunity to contribute. Additionally, another tip may be to use a Go-Around-Cup. Write every student’s name on a popsicle stick. Place them in a cute cup (get it from The Dollar Tree). Shake it up, pull a name or allow students to rotate being in charge of this. This will keep them on their toes!
Give them Choice Students need autonomy; this is how you strengthen the buy-in. Include a choice board. Like the ones, I found here. It will boost their engagement and motivation. When students have an input, they’re more likely to own it.
Include Friendly, Healthy Competition Competition can make learning seem like a game. And, anytime there is a game, students are all in! Include websites such as Kahoot or Quizizz. For more ideas, purchase my book. Build your instructional toolbox with ideas!
Reward Students Whether you give students a sticker, a shout out, a call home, or a sweet treat, students like being recognized. Make sure to recognize students for a job well done. Don’t only focus on the ones who do everything right, but make sure to pay attention to those students who are normally unengaged; rewards/recognition can encourage their involvement.
Change the Scenery/Locations Have class in the Media Center or outdoors. You’d be surprised at how students will appreciate the change. Allow students Free-Seating-Friday’s, change up the furniture arrangement, or decorate your classroom to make it feel like an oasis.
Encourage Structured Debates Students enjoy anytime they get to share their point of view, especially when a debate can pursue. Debates foster abstract thinking, teamwork, and collaboration. For example, The Four Corner debate will encourage students to use critical thinking skills. Post the signs, Strongly agree, Agree, Strongly Disagree, and Disagree in four corners around the class. Pose a controversial question and allow student to stand in the corner that reflects their opinion. They should begin a discussion with their peers who have chosen the same corner. Allow students to express their thoughts and feelings openly, or it can be more objective. This is a sure way to get everyone involved. You can even use this strategy as a “brain-break” (intermission from learning) and pose a fun question such as “Snickers is the best candy bar in the world.” This is especially good for those on block schedules.
Allow Students to Present/Perform Craft fun activities where students can demonstrate their level of understanding. Whether they put it in speech-like format, a Prezi or Google Slide, or put it in song. Allow them to show what they know.
I hope these words find you well,
-Dr. E