https://padlet.com/laurenbenson1/fv9psqz489nd What have I done to engage my students in learning? en-us 2018-01-12 14:59:33 UTC 2018-01-28 10:19:59 UTC hello@padlet.com laurenbenson1 https://padlet.com/laurenbenson1/fv9psqz489nd/wish/220993295 One of my favorite engagement activities is "Fan and Pick". Fan and Pick is used typically in centers after it has been modeled in whole group.  You create cards for really any subject.
1. Fan out cards and say "Pick a card, any card."
2. Student picks a card and answers the question/solves the problem
3. Check answer
4. Repeat]]> 2018-01-12 15:05:24 UTC https://padlet.com/laurenbenson1/fv9psqz489nd/wish/220993295 https://padlet.com/laurenbenson1/fv9psqz489nd/wish/221038256 I like to try and find as many different things that relate to the topic my students are learning about. 

For example, this week we read about a swimmer in the 1920's. We listened to 1920's jazz and swing, watched popular black and white clips, and pretended to be swimmers on our blue carpet. It builds connections to what we are learning.]]> 2018-01-12 16:41:12 UTC https://padlet.com/laurenbenson1/fv9psqz489nd/wish/221038256 https://padlet.com/laurenbenson1/fv9psqz489nd/wish/221310510 For example, in Science we are working on Matter: Properties and Change. 
My students and I watched a video about the 3 states of matter, "like what does that mean to a kindergarten student" Right! You would be surprised how much they knew and could apply after the video and discussion. The video and tree map activity helped students to be able to discuss and relate to something they have noticed or seen in their own life experiences. Most of my students did not like completing the writing and drawings for the tree map. 
"Sounds familiar".]]> 2018-01-14 22:48:45 UTC https://padlet.com/laurenbenson1/fv9psqz489nd/wish/221310510 amymehallic https://padlet.com/laurenbenson1/fv9psqz489nd/wish/221562578 My students really enjoy using Plickers during our lessons.  The Plickers website allows you to print out cards with individual QR Codes on them.   Students hold up their cards when answering multiple choice questions, and I am able to scan their cards with my iPad/iPhone.  A graph is created on the board which shows how many students chose each answer choice.  
The students are able to get instant feedback, and I am able to see who which concepts I might need to reteach or who I might need to pull for small group instruction.
I encourage you to check out the website at www.plickers.com .  Did I mention- it's FREE!!!!!!]]> 2018-01-16 01:41:37 UTC https://padlet.com/laurenbenson1/fv9psqz489nd/wish/221562578 amymehallic https://padlet.com/laurenbenson1/fv9psqz489nd/wish/221563483 I use dry erase boards in many of my lessons. The students enjoy working out math problems and practicing vocabulary words/spelling words using their boards. I am able to give quick feedback and see who needs extra help.]]> 2018-01-16 01:50:40 UTC https://padlet.com/laurenbenson1/fv9psqz489nd/wish/221563483 https://padlet.com/laurenbenson1/fv9psqz489nd/wish/225124151

]]> 2018-01-26 16:24:38 UTC https://padlet.com/laurenbenson1/fv9psqz489nd/wish/225124151 https://padlet.com/laurenbenson1/fv9psqz489nd/wish/225147915 I try to keep the lesson and students moving as often as possible.  If the students are doing a number of small but relevant activities, they are less likely to get bored.  If you make something into a game or competition, they are more likely to be focused or excited about the topic.

]]> 2018-01-26 17:15:58 UTC https://padlet.com/laurenbenson1/fv9psqz489nd/wish/225147915 https://padlet.com/laurenbenson1/fv9psqz489nd/wish/225359537 I love keeping my students active as well so I will create creative games that involves collaborating with another student or groups of students first; then coming back together as a class. For example: to keep my students engaged while we were learning some of the different amendments in our Constitution, I had my students hold a poster contest. They worked with other students to create their BEST poster about a certain amendment. Then the posters were hung around the class for the students to vote on their two favorite posters without knowing who made which poster. 
 I also enjoy using whiteboards and to allow students to manipulate smartboard lessons I've put up. These activities allow the students to really hear other's ideas and ways of thinking whenever they are explaining the reason to a chosen answer. ]]> 2018-01-28 10:07:17 UTC https://padlet.com/laurenbenson1/fv9psqz489nd/wish/225359537