Classroom Tips and Tricks

By Jessica Serrantino

Change the room around

Either by letting students switch their seats every once in a while,

or by putting the class in a big circle for a class, switch things

up.

Students get bored sitting in rows every day.

The class also becomes a lot more comfortable when you put

things on the wall

~make the place welcoming!

Make yourself available for extra help outside of

classIt means a lot to a student when they know that you are still their

teacher outside of the class.

Give them a time to find you during school outside of class, or

at least your e-mail when they are stuck on their homework at home.

Don’t spend whole class lecturing

Not many students learn when all you

are doing is standing in front of the class talking.

Not everyone is a Verbal learner, and even then . . . Minds

tend to wander.

Don’t stay behind your desk, move around

Become more connected with the

class.

Sitting behind your desk makes them feel like you really don’t want to be

there.

If you want your students to be involved, you should be too.

Allow time to get up and stretch

Even if it’s a quick two minute, take a

walk around the classroom break, give

it.

It’s tough for some students to sit still for

an entire class.

Take breaks

Minds wander.

More can be taken in when

you give students a

chance to stop and reflect, rather than

jumping from one

assignment to another.

Get out of the classroomEven if it’s just to the library down

the hall, it’s still so much fun getting up and out of the

class.

Teach using Multiple Intelligences

Not every student learns in the same way.

Teach lessons in different ways,

so everyone has an equal chance

of learning!

Know your students learning stylesIt’s important to teach

using Multiple Intelligences.

While we may know different ways to incorporate each intelligence into a

lesson, we should know which intelligence each

student learns best with.

This way if a student needs extra help you

will know the best way to help.

Give agendas of what will be done during class

This can help students stay more organized

and focused.

It gives them an idea of what will be

covered during class, and helps them stay on track with what needs to get done.

Ask open ended questions; encourage

thinkingHelp them connect their opinions and

feelings to the assignments.

Help them relate topics in every subject to the outside world.

Give your students a voice

Let them talk.

Let them express their opinions.

Let them get off track sometimes.

ListenListen to the answers they

provide.

Listen to what’s on their mind.

Listen to how their weekend was.

Listen to everything they tell

you!

Provide examples

Sometimes a sheet with

an assignment on it doesn’t always work.

Give examples

and provide clarity for

assignments.

Bring in other subjects

One students strength in English may be another’s

weakness.

Try to bring in other subjects and ideas into the class so

they can understand and become more

interested.

Make things relative

If they can talk about themselves, they’ll be

happy.

Try to help them relate topics and

ideas you are discussing in class to

their lives and the outside world.

Make things more hands on

It doesn’t matter what grade you’re

in.

It’s still exciting getting to use

markers and color for an assignment in

class.

Review

Topics learned three weeks ago are not always

fresh on a students mind when it comes

time for the test.

Take time to review with your

students.

Create study guides; play

review games.

Create classroom rules as a group

When students create the classroom rules as a

group they are more likely to follow them.

It gives them a better sense of freedom and

responsibility.

Have fun during class, but remember to teach

It’s fun to play games and make

jokes during class, but if your students

aren’t learning, what’s the point?

Find the happy medium between the two, because you’re there so

your students can learn.