Reward the effort not the outcome
As a teacher, it's always fulfilling to see your students succeed at a task or subject. However, what matters more than them being right is how hard they are trying, and that's where this approach comes in. While it's important to acknowledge achievements, such as answering questions correctly or getting a great score on a quiz, it's also valuable to reward students for putting in extra effort. This will reinforce the idea that their effort is appreciated and recognised, encouraging them to continue trying their best and participate more actively in lessons.
Change things up every now and again
Not even adults like to do the same thing every day, and if your classroom routine is becoming a bit stagnant, a great way to change the pace is to switch things up; maybe this looks like taking a lesson outside if it’s science, reading a fun book for English, or even getting fun games and group work involved into your plans. Children need stimulation, and the more you make learning feel like fun, the easier it will be to hold their attention for longer. And so, the more they’re actively getting involved, the more they’re going to learn and remember.
Rejig your seating plan
Established seating plans can be helpful for saving time and helping you learn the names of your students, but if you sit them in one seat at the start of the year and never have a reshuffle, it can also limit their learning. When students always sit with the same people, they may fall into the same patterns of thinking and problem-solving, especially if they are near their friends or sit with other students that have similar skills and interests; it's only natural that things will get a little chatty and cause distractions.
A great way to address this and help your entire class get acquainted with each other is to mix up the seating plans every so often. This allows you to pair stronger learners with the ones who need a little extra help, ensuring a good mix of aptitudes throughout the classroom so they can learn from each other. Mixing up the seating arrangement also helps students to understand different perspectives and opinions, which can enhance their learning and engagement with the material.
Engage with your students
It sounds obvious, but the more you engage with your students, the harder they're going to try for you as a teacher. It's always a great idea to get to know your students and who they are outside of the classroom. Building that positive relationship with them makes them feel comfortable coming to you when they are struggling. By showing a genuine interest in their lives, you can motivate them to put in more effort and participate actively in class. What's more, understanding their individual strengths and challenges allows you to tailor your teaching strategies to better meet their needs.
Like we said earlier, not every method will work for every classroom, so it's worth trying a few and seeing what produces the results you’re looking for!
Here at EPSL, though, you can count on us to have all the tools you need to put it into action. Take a look through our personalised exercise books and educational books and resources. With around 50 years of experience behind us at EPSL, we're top-of-the-class when it comes to producing resources and learning solutions for schools! If you have any questions about any of these methods, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team on 01254 686 500!
