Creating a Fun and Engaging Classroom

We all know that the demands that are placed on us are growing exponentially each year.  The resources that are given to us are taking the creativity out of our teaching.  The kids come with more and more baggage each year.  In essence, there is no FUN left in teaching!

Yet you don't have to sit by and let it happen!  You CAN make teaching fun again!

Here are just suggestions to get you started.  Please feel free to add your own in the comments.

Go digital!  When possible, bring in technology to get kids motivated about learning.  Encourage them to use technology to share their own learning.  Play games.  Show video clips.  And don't be afraid to learn FROM your students!

Get crafty.  I know, you'll say you don't have time for that anymore.  But just because your students are creating something doesn't mean the learning doesn't continue.  Let them be creative and problem solve how to create something.  

Go up or down. Work with a buddy class.  Older kids can learn a lot from helping younger kids.  They can read to them or help them on a computer-based project.  They can work with struggling students on math facts or sight words.  Let's face it, there's  a lot more fun working with a cool 5th grader than with the teacher, right?  Younger kids can practice their growing reading skills by reading to their older buddy.  They can perform reader's theatre for the older class to practice their fluency skills.  The kids can be pen pals and write letters back and forth.  The possibilities are endless, and they are just plain fun.

Think outside the box.  If students need to work on their math skills, hold a math olympics.   To work on reading, perform readers' theatre.  To share what you've learned about a character from your book, have a day when students become that character and share about themselves.  None of these things take the place of actual instruction, yet they are much more fun and meaningful for students.

Have students help with the design and layout of the classroom.  Students will be much more likely to want to work in an environment in which they are comfortable and helped create.  

Take time to slow down and let kids be kids.  Bring back the joy to teaching.  Your kids and your health will thank you!.