WHY STUDENTS NEED CHOICE
Students used to always ask me what they can do next. I would write down their choices on the board – sometimes more than once in a day. Every time we transitioned to a new subject, I would have to rewrite what I wanted my students to do.
It was almost always the same choices. I finally decided to create a poster/anchor chart I could post and refer students to when I got that question. Over time, I have adapted this idea to fit different grade levels and students.
I always teach these options to my students at the beginning of the school year. I show them what the expectations are and how to get started independently on their choice.
You can choose 5-6 options of choices that your students can work on. You could rotate between 2-3 favorites. Each of your classroom’s are unique and your teaching style reflects your values so go with what you feel your students need.
For those Type A people reading this. I get it. I’m with you. Giving students choice can be scary at first, but I am telling you that letting this small change happen and embracing it will lead to a more calm and focused classroom.
I’ll also share some more ideas with you that you can easily incorporate into your classroom routines. Giving students choice allows them to build problem-solving skills and keeps them engaged throughout the day. Keep reading to the end to find the FREE resource at the end of this post. My hope is that you find something that works for your classroom to give your students choice.
5 Ways to Give Your Students Choice
Anchor Chart or Digital Display
Create a list of activities that your students can work on when they finish another task before you transition. For some students who finish more quickly than others, teach and model how to choose an option and begin working independently. These options should always be low to no prep and can be print or digital activities.
- Work on classwork or homework
- Catch up on make-up work
- Digital curriculum supplement
- Websites/Learning Games
- Virtual field trips
- Explore virtual classrooms
- What creative ideas can you come up with?
Virtual Experiences (Classrooms & Field Trips)
Put the world at their fingertips by letting them choose their next adventure. Let your students choose their experience or assign them a place to visit by allowing them to choose off a list you provide. Link it to your curriculum and embed opportunities for feedback, collaboration, and reflection. You can search for virtual field trips and find many lists and resources available. If you enjoy the virtual classroom opportunity, find templates you like that are premade or create some on your own. You can add all kinds of content using virtual classrooms to enhance learning experiences.
Flipgrid
Set up grids and topics and teach your students how to record videos and comment on others to engage with your content. The website is fairly simple to navigate, but can sometimes be confusing when using multiple grids and topics. There are many ways that students can use Flipgrid to use time productively during class.
- Read alouds (teacher & students)
- Fluency practice and assessments
- Responding to a Prompt
- Sharing their favorite part of the day
- Recording a book review and/or summary
- Presenting an argument on a topic
Book Reviews
Students usually have a lot to talk about! Give them a reason to talk using a method of presentation of their choice. Students can review a book they have read. Then, using Wakelet, Slides, posters, Flipgrid, etc., have students practice their speaking and communication skills.
Give your students an opportunity to use their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students will have to apply, analyze, and evaluate what they have read to connect it together.
Free Writing & Shared Journals
We should remember to add in some time for reflection and decompressing from what life brings us and our students. Let students write what’s on their mind. They can free write, you can give them a prompt, or you can do shared journals in your classroom. Shared journals are when you or one students starts writing. Then, other students add to the writing to continue the story. At the end of the notebook, students can read and share the book together as a collaborative effort.
Incorporating drawing and coloring with writing can motivate reluctant writers who may not be confident in their abilities yet.
 YOUR NEXT STEPS
Imagine what you want your classroom to look like this fall? While summer is on our minds now, we are all guilty of visualizing how we will create our new learning space. With a renewed sense of more normalcy in the classroom, we can start to think about the things in our classroom that worked well and we should keep. We also learned what didn’t work. There is no reason to hold onto those practices. We can give ourselves permission to let our students explore in new ways.
Your next steps are to determine which choices you want your students to have. Pick ones that you know you can teach and model and students can do independently after guided practice. Then, work them into your back-to-school routines plans. The last thing I will leave you with is to remember to be flexible. Some of the options you choose may not work for your students or that particular group of students. You are free to add, delete, or change each semester what choices students have available. You should never feel locked into these choices and students should understand that flexibility may be needed. Click here or on the picture below to receive your FREE Choice Board template. It is a Google Drive PDF document and will ask you to make a copy. This is not an editable document.
