TIPS TO INCREASE STUDENT BUY-IN + DRIVE LONG-TERM LEARNING

I am coming at you today with a post about increasing student buy-in and driving long-term learning in the classroom.  Here are 5 quick tips that have worked for me over the years.  We all have different styles (mine is a little wilder than most), but I believe that these categories can be molded to fit just about any classroom.  

THINK LIKE A KID
When creating lessons, I always start with my teacher hat.  After a little backward planning on a subject, I switch gears and put my on my student hat. I have found that putting myself in the shoes of a kid really helps drive engagement and overall buy-in.  If I can find a way to teach the standards and hook kids into what I am dishin', I have earned my pay for the day.  Here are a few examples of how this looks in my room . . . 

Sure, writing a summary can be fun, but why not have kids "call" each other and give one orally . . . just to switch things up? Yeah, talking about spheres and their features can be cool, but why not toss measurement into the mix and race these objects? Okay, memorizing tens facts and playing around the word games are great, but why not mix it up by adding some pom-poms and asking them to cheer fact sets? 

This is how I roll.  I know the standard that I need to hit -- this happens while wearing my "teacher hat." Once the idea is developed, I twist it just a bit to tack on a little extra kid-friendly touch. I have found that when those babies of ours can relate or smile/giggle during a lesson, they pay attention and actually remember what we are teachin'!

STOP. COLLABORATE . . . LISTEN!
I won't spend too much time on this one as we all do it.  However, it is critical to the engagement piece.  Take a moment to chat it up with your teammates and other teacher friends in the biz.  Reach out to teachers outside of your grade level too.  I can't tell you how many ideas have come from a discussion with a 4th or 5th grade teacher.  A few simple tweaks to an upper grade idea and you are rollin' in primary.  In addition to collaborating in person or via email, blogs are a great way to "collaborate" in a different way.  I need to get back on this train as I have been so bad about blog stalking as of late.  It's on my list of things to fix this school year.  

Here are two of my favorite bloggers to follow . . . the ones who really know how to "hook" those kids in and kick the engagement into high gear. There are oodles of other fantastic bloggers out there, but Hope and Elizabeth immediately came to mind.  These two gals are way outside of the box and inspire me to think differently. 

GET TECHY

There are SO many amazing ways to bring technology into the classroom.  From awesome apps to full on software programs, there are people/companies out there who are really dialing it in for teachers.  Kids are so in touch with the tech world now, it only makes sense that we embed it into our lessons. After all, it's all the cool "tech" stuff that keeps them engaged, right??

Here are a couple of my favorite tech resources that are pushing the limits as of late.  Seriously . . . these products and overall ideas will blow your mind :)

Alive Studios is one of the most amazing classroom technology companies I have ever seen.  This group offers up augmented reality for the classroom.  Yes, you read that correctly.  They provide 3D learning for the classroom without the silly glasses.  Alive Studios figured out a way to embed high-tech graphics, sounds, and other highly-engaging elements into amazing software learning kits that provide kids with a different ways to experience and interact with math and reading.  Can you imagine the student engagement on this one?  Uh, I can. (You should have seen my reaction when I first saw this in action . . . my mouth was WIDE open and my eyes were as big as plates). But, don't take my word for it.  Check this out . . . 

I recently switched schools and can't wait to get one of these up and running with my new crew.  I just have to figure out which version I will need (we may be switching from MAC to PC), but I won't know for a week or so.  I hope they hook us up soon, as this is just what I need. Check out Alive Studios in more detail HERE.  Oh, and be sure to look into their new BLOG.  Cynthia and the Alive crew are on the cutting edge of technology in the classroom.  I can't wait to see what else they have hiding up their sleeves.

Alright . . . tech tip number two coming your way.  I have three words for you. VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS.  These things absolutely floor me.  Who knew that the World Wide Web could offer up a field trip from the comfort and safety of your own classroom?  My brilliant teaching partner opened my eyes to this one last year. She found an amazing opportunity from the California Academy of Sciences. The kiddos were able to experience their penguin exhibit with a special classroom tour guide via Skype. Everything was live. Our students were able to check out what the penguins where doing at that very moment and ask questions (one of their biologists was on the call with us). This gal even had a little lesson planned. It was awesome. She had our "lively" class eating out of her hand. You could hear a pin drop . . . talk about engagement.    

ABOVE: My awesome co-teacher from last year doing what she does best :)
The kids were full of questions and were so excited.
BELOW: The biologist has them moving like penguins.
She knew just what first graders needed . . . a little wiggle break.

So many places offer up forms of virtual field trips.  I quickly found ideas at Scholastic, the Smithsonian, and UPM Forest Life.  However, there are oodles more out there.  I would start with your largest local area museum (our closest is 2 hours away). They might just have something. Also, just Google it. Tons of opportunities come up :)

"TUNE" INTO LEARNING
If you follow me, you know that I am all about music in the classroom.  It's an absolute game changer.  I swear by it.  Tossing a little concept-based tune, chant, or rap into a lesson is right up our students' alleys.  Add some movement and you're totally speaking a whole new kid language that naturally drives student buy-in and long-term learning. There are oodles of awesome music resources out there.  All you have to do is find a songwriter or two that fit your style - Hap Palmer, Heidi Songs, Dr. Jean, Harry Kindergarten . . . the list goes on and on.  

All bias aside (okay, maybe I have a little), I love using Ron Brown's Intelli-Tunes in my room.  He was a teacher for 25+ years and gets kids.  Yes, he just so happens to be my father.  However, he taught me everything he knows about teaching.  Thinking like the "little guys" was his specialty and it shows in his music.  

If you are looking for quick and easy ways to get music into your classroom this year, I teamed up with my pop to bring you some fun song packs.  These collections come with a handful of tunes and oodles of related ideas.  It's so much more than just "pushing play" and it's right at your fingertips. Check out all of our new song packets right HERE :)

    

BE SURE TO "PROP" IT UP
Here's my final tip when it comes to driving that student attention, getting buy-in, and making those standards stick. Add props to your lessons when you can. Kids love the theatrics of it all and always seem to pay attention SO MUCH MORE.  Think about spicing up your lesson by acting things out with funny hats or objects. The connections are endless, you just have to think about it in a bit of a different way.  

Those involved with the props and who are acting are engaged.  AND . . . those who are in the audience are hooked right in too.  The expressions on their little faces tell the whole story :)  

I have a prop box that's easy to access.
It's actually my storage cube chair that I sit on during carpet time.
Hiding stuff that I'll need for the day is so convenient!

Alright.  There you have it.  Five fabulous tips to increase student engagement and foster long-term learning. I hope you found something a little useful today. I will be back soon with something fun!  Big hugs to ya!