Learn how adding variety ("toppings") to your lessons can keep your students engaged.
In the last article, we explained how adding “slices” to your lesson will make the material easier for your students to “consume.”
Now consider: Which experience is more engaging - Eating eat 6 slices of plain cheese pizza, or eating 6 slices that each have different toppings? When you include many different types of activities and modes of instruction into your lesson, it’s like adding a variety of toppings to your pizza pie.
The more variety you include in your class, the better you will be able to engage your students.
List of Suggested “Slices” and “Toppings”
Here’s a brief list of some “slices” and “toppings” you can use to incorporate more variety into your lessons:
Audio
Use MP3’s to play music in the classroom, find podcasts related to the topic under discussion, bring in recordings of lectures, or play musical instruments.
Evaluations
Have your students grade their peers’ work. Use verbal assessments instead of written tests. Include diagrams or pictures in your evaluations to help those students who think visually.
Games
Play memory games on the board or with paper. Do trust- or team-building exercises. Play charades related to the topics under discussion.
Peer instruction
Have students teach concepts to each other. Provide opportunities for students to instruct each other in the concepts they grasp easily.
Pace and Tone
Vary the speed of instruction when necessary. Speak with a strong and active voice.
Questions
Every time a question arises, ask a student to lead the conversation.
Sit-Stand-Walk
Instruct lessons mostly from a standing position, but feel free to sit beside students and to change seats often. Get on the same side of the table as your students.
Video
Show Youtube videos, commercials, or clips from current TV shows wherever relevant.
Do you have suggestions to add to this list? How do you incorporate variety into your lessons? Let us know!
Yoni Colman