Strategies to Increase Engagement and Motivation ELM-251 by Casey Young

Explanation

caseyyoung22 — 2025-09-05 17:18:14 UTC

For grades K-2, students will be able to get into a routine of greeting each other, sharing news, and doing a short activity that helps them build positive relationships with their peers and boosts their social interaction (Wolfe, 2025). This strategy creates a safe space for students to connect, and the more it is used, they put it into their routine, in hopes that it makes all students have active participation.

Strategy for English Learners

caseyyoung22 — 2025-09-05 17:18:30 UTC

To differentiate this strategy, you could use visual aids, sentence starters, and/or gestures during greetings and sharing. As an example, use the starter "Today I feel ___ because ___." This lowers language barriers for English Learners and boosts confidence through their active participation.

References

caseyyoung22 — 2025-09-05 17:31:23 UTC

Wolfe, T. P. (2025, April 25). Using community circles to boost school culture. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-community-circles-to-boost-school-culture/

Learning centers. (n.d.). New York State Education Department. https://www.nysed.gov/early-learning/student-centered-learning-environment-best-practices

Allen, M. (2022, January 24). Using choice boards to boost student engagement. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-choice-boards-boost-student-engagement/

Using group work to foster In-Class Connections | Center for Faculty Development | The University of Southern Mississippi. (n.d.). https://www.usm.edu/faculty-development/group-work.php

Hansen, J. (2024, March 19). Peer Learning: overview, benefits, and models. Western Governors University. https://www.wgu.edu/blog/peer-learning2208.html

Savas, V. (2023, April 24). Strategies for Supporting Student Goal-Setting. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/supporting-student-goal-setting/

Explanation

caseyyoung22 — 2025-09-05 22:32:53 UTC

A hands-on Learning center is a designed rotation through classroom stations where students can work on different activities (with different subjects being focused). This is ideal in a K-2 setting, but can be used in all grades. If one subject needs to be focused it can be different aspects of math, ELA, etc. It can incoporate hands-on activities with blocks, or other materials like playdough or sand, but can also incorporate subjects like art and motor skills and science and making discoveries (Learning Centers, n.d.).

Strategy for Students with Disabilities

caseyyoung22 — 2025-09-05 22:32:58 UTC

To differentiate this strategy for students with various disabilities, provide lots of extra items that help them learn in the best way they can. For example, if a math station requires students to write down answers and figure out equations using some form of writing, provide blocks or a physical tool for students to use if they work better with that. The goal is to ensure accessibility and provide students with the best opportunity to demonstrate their understanding.

Explanation

caseyyoung22 — 2025-09-05 22:33:10 UTC

Choice boards for grades 3-5 are designed to allow students to pick how they demonstrate their understanding of a topic (Allen, 2022). This strategy encourages self-motivation as it honors students' interests and their preferred learning styles, while also keeping them engaged by completing an assignment or project in their preferred method.

Strategy in a Digital Learning Environment

caseyyoung22 — 2025-09-05 22:33:16 UTC

Within platforms such as Google Classroom, Canvas, or Microsoft Teams, students will get a poll or a list of multiple tasks, and with a short description of what it entails, they can choose how they will complete their work. This is a very organized format and keeps students engaged.

Explanation

caseyyoung22 — 2025-09-05 22:33:24 UTC

Students will work in a pair or small group to complete a task that can vary from research-based tasks or designing a digital or physical item. Group work in general builds positive social interaction and relationships through constant cooperation and peer accountability (Using Group Work to Foster In-Class Connections | Center for Faculty Development | the University of Southern Mississippi, n.d.). This is an engaging strategy as it requires students to work with others and understand the ideas of a partner or group.

Strategy in a Digital Learning Environment

caseyyoung22 — 2025-09-05 22:33:30 UTC

Shared Google Docs/Slides where students can collaborate on a shared document, which allows them to add ideas, images, notes, etc. In a remote environment, it still requires teamwork as students must find a way to provide an equal amount and connect their ideas to have them all fit with the topic of discussion.

Explanation

caseyyoung22 — 2025-09-05 22:33:38 UTC

Peer Teaching consists of dividing students into small groups, where each member masters a specific piece of content to teach to their classmates within their group (Hansen, 2024). This strategy promotes engagement and interaction, as students must not only focus on the section they are required to learn, but also on how to teach it to their peers so that they can understand it as well. The interaction is constant, as group members can ask questions, and for the shy kids, it allows them to share in a smaller setting.

Technology Tool or Resource

caseyyoung22 — 2025-09-05 22:33:57 UTC

Edpuzzle is a technological tool that allows teachers to assign different video clips to groups or students, and answer questions that relate black to the video clips and slides. It incorporates a lot of checking for understanding, which keeps a focus on student engagement and comprehension of the topic. This resource would allow students to truly learn their topic before they teach it to their peers.

https://edpuzzle.com/

Explanation

caseyyoung22 — 2025-09-05 22:34:12 UTC

Students can set academic or personal goals that foster a growth mindset as they are always looking towards how they can reach that goal (Savas, 2023). It allows them to also track their progress and how close they are to reaching their goals, as well as gives them the ability to reflect before, during, or after the goals to look for adjustments. Overall, this strategy builds independence and responsibility for students at the middle school level.

Technology Tool or Resource

caseyyoung22 — 2025-09-05 22:34:19 UTC

Goalbook toolkit is a resource that helps both us as teachers and our students design personalized and standards-based goals. It also gives us the ability to scaffold goals for the diverse learning needs of students.

https://goalbook.com/explore-toolkit/

Explanation

caseyyoung22 — 2025-09-05 22:34:29 UTC

Gamified learning means using tools like Kahoot, Quizzizz, and scavenger hunt-based games to create an interactive learning environment. It encourages collaboration if it can be done in teams or groups, and promotes motivation through the competitive aspect and achievements of games.

Strategy for English Learners

caseyyoung22 — 2025-09-05 22:34:35 UTC

A strategy for English Learners would be to incorporate translated aspects of the games, or to use lots of visuals and connect those pictures to words. Simply putting in a little extra effort can help the students who are learning English to make major steps when they have additional resources to help them, for example, connecting words to pictures and learning how to say them correctly.