Classroom Design Is a Fun Way to Increase Engagement
Imagine arriving into your classroom as a student and discovering it has been changed into a restaurant for tasting books. The desks are covered in checkered tablecloths, and the class chef (who has a fantastic French accent!) assigns you to a table where you sample a variety of book genres. Pizzas dangle from the ceiling, and you're greeted with plates and menus to share your ideas.
This is a scene from a book tasting, which is one of the most prevalent classroom makeovers that teachers throughout the country are doing to improve student engagement. This year, I immersed my sixth-grade class in a series of very entertaining room renovations in order to rekindle their enthusiasm for learning.
TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE CLASSROOM
Classroom transformations provide our students with immersive experiences without requiring them to leave the classroom. Hope and Wade King have developed a number of innovative classroom transformation initiatives to engage and excite children.
This year, I chose Fear Factor as a theme to produce a middle-school-friendly, spine-tingling room change. Students engaged in a rigorous close reading of phobias before attempting to solve a spooky puzzle to earn a prize from each "fear box." In one phase, for example, pupils were tasked with finding a small red ball hidden in the gunk composed of shaving cream and dry beans. The riddle for this fear box read: "Hope you stick A-ROUND to the end." These simple but appealing details are what make classroom transformations memorable and engaging.
One of our favorite activities was a blacklight inquiry makeover. In this session, students took on the role of detectives, searching for literary evidence through a number of activities. Text message analysis and answering a series of questions in a scary, tough text were among the activities. Students were greeted with white thread acting as laser beams as they entered the classroom after scanning their fingerprints. They had to avoid the fake beams in order to go to their seat and get their "secret file."
A test prep boot camp is another classroom makeover that has worked well for me. This was done in preparation for our state-mandated examination. Instead of standard question-and-answer test prep, students created a squad and wrote a chant, engaged in station practice, did exercises, and wore camouflage bandanas and face paint. Students practiced a prep question or two with their squad at each location. Each station had an exercise, such as 10 jumping jacks or sprinting in place for 1 minute.
A TIMELINE FOR IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE PLANNING
You might be asking how much time it takes to plan one of these classroom changes. In my experience, you should begin planning two to three weeks before the activity. This timeline may be useful:
15-20 days in advance: Determine the skills your class will cover and any themes you will incorporate. If you intend to enlist the help of community members to aid in your transition, do so now. Set a date for your concluding activity and order any supplies you may require.
10-15 days in advance: Consider who might be available or interested in helping you with your transformation. This could include running stations, working with a group, or simply showing up to have fun! Invite administrators, instructional coaches, colleagues, or parents. Begin developing resources for your activity, such as pre/post assessments, activities, stations, and parent communication.
5-10 days away: Make any final resources you may require. Confirm guest attendance. Examine your ordered supplies and make a list of all materials.
1–5 days away: Print and put together any nondigital resources you've created. Set up the classroom the night before or early the following morning. An average transformation can take between one and three hours to complete.
On the big day, host your pupils in the amazing immersion activity you've organized. Make sure to keep parents updated on the transition, including images and a statement explaining the aim and rigor of your concluding exercise.
After the event, spread the excitement and inspire others. Display your accomplishments at a district institute day, in a shared folder, video, or website.
These high-engagement lessons stick with students even after they leave your classroom. If you can provide students as many of these opportunities as possible, you can make learning enjoyable and rekindle a love of teaching and learning.
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