IT’S MORE FUN IN THE CLASSROOM

Dayana D. Tolentino

Learning is fun. Most of us have fond memories of our elementary days. Playing with our classmates on the playground and gossiping and giggling during recess time are just two among fun experiences we reminisce about. It is true that learners must be led to a learning environment where they can enjoy education while freely socialize with their classmates. Thus, the school must become an implementer of fun which can give kids a lifelong love of learning. Since these ages are foundational, the teachers who are the prime-movers in the classroom must provide variety of activities to keep the students engaged and motivated. Here are some learning activities that you may find advantageous:

1.Be more creativity. There is nothing wrong in trying on new things most especially when you find your learners curious or interested in your concept. In this way, you can be able to add more learning strategies or techniques to your repertoire. Variety and creativity are the great ways to guarantee learning to never end. Be open also to your students’ creativity. Allow them to put originality or uniqueness in their outputs. Recognize these efforts, so they would be more passionate in completing their tasks in a customized level.

2.Allow group-talk. When you allow students to work together, they are able to be more responsible in their communication and in keeping their learning since there are others who depend on them. Collaboration also helps develop higher order thinking and communication skills among young learners. Group time provides new routine making your lesson much more pleasurable.

3.Have a break. We all have short-span of listening more so our elementary learners. Give the kinds a break the break, and so do you. Lead them to move a bit to avoid lagging, incorporate movement into your lesson or give them a brain break. These disruptions are excellent way to give your students a downtime since our minds get tired, too. Many researches back these ideas that breaks often lead to a reboot which makes them more engaged and attentive in the class.

4.Let them choose. When learners have the power to select, it aids them become more engaged and bargain into what happens next. Allow them to pick the activity that drives your lesson or what homework assignment they want to complete on that night.

5.Include games. Games are an amazing way to improve instant participation in the class. They make learning more amusing, from basic drills to more complex. Using games as part of the class instruction assists to create positivity, motivating students to get involve and creating an attitude of love for learning. It can also produce an emotional-associated memory and good experience of learning for students in the classroom.

6.Incorporate technology. 21st century learners are digital natives. From mobile phones and laptops to YouTube and different social media platforms, young learners have plenty to choose of. We, teachers, must be fearless in using technology as a tool to make learning more fun. Show a slideshow of pictures, a short clip, or a related film to the lesson. You can also prepare a slide deck or a video of your own.

7.Bring them outside. Kids have a strong connection to nature or in learning outside the classroom. As this is evidently shown by them, we must take advantage of it to provide a more holistic learning. Making their recess or breaks instructional is beneficial to achieve the learning objectives of the lessons. Many researches show that getting outdoors, playing on the playground and engaging with friends primes their brains for learning.

These are just few among effective strategies and wonderful experiences we can provide our school kids. Realizing that making our learning objectives SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Result-oriented, Timebound) are inadequate will motivate us to improve our learning plans to SMARTER (Entertaining and recreational).

The author is Teacher

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III at Concepcion Elementary School, Mexico North District