From Connections To Collaborations: 3 Stage To Engage Moves To Master With Students From Connections To Collaborations: 3 Stage To Engage Moves To Master With Students From Connections To Collaborations: 3 Stage To Engage Moves To Master With Students

From Connections To Collaborations: 3 Stage To Engage Moves To Master With Students

With the return to in person learning, many students may be having a difficult time adjusting to being back in the classroom. In order to create a learning

environment that students can thrive in as learners, engagement is critical. According to The Glossary of Education Reform (2021), “student

engagement refers to the degree of attention, curiosity, interest, optimism, and passion that students show when they are learning or being taught,

which extends to the level of motivation they have to learn and progress in their education.” Stick around to learn more about three stage to engage moves

to master with students and three tips you can use right now.

1. Teach SEL

Using Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons have an impact on students learning. Making SEL activities a regular part of the school day helps engage

students in understanding mindfulness while practicing mindset activities.These activities take students through the steps of calming down, gauging

through their emotions, and developing positive thinking or thoughts. Incorporating SEL increases students’ ability to remain focus during times of stress

or anxiety. Character education and affirmation lessons can help build students’ confidence.

2. Build Independence

Building independence comes from developing a routine in the classroom. “A classroom routine is simple a well-rehearsed response to a teacher’s

directive” (Jones, 2022). Your students should be able to navigate their classroom environment with confidence. By establishing a transparent routine,

students know how the classroom functions (e.g., put their things away, prepare for the day). This is often reinforced with praise and acknowledgment

which will encourage your students to want to demonstrate their independence.

3. Utilize Technology

Technology is crucial to student learning. Moving back to in person learning, it does not mean that we should put technology aside. Technology is here to

stay for 21st Century learners especially since virtual learning showed that some students lacked skills in navigating technology. Integrating technology in

the classroom for your students with special needs involves teaching them how to take care of their devices, how to set up; turn on and shut down their

computer, input passwords, use QR codes, and navigate between websites. Your students must communicate when they need support or are experiencing

technical problems. Placing a picture cards with a computer on it and person with the words help on in a designated area will help those students who are

non-verbal communicate their needs. Of course, when your students have achieved success with technology, it should be celebrated.

Final Thoughts

It is important to build relationships in the classroom. By engaging students, you can get to know them. Engagement is can be developed in numerous

ways like strengthen their emotions, building independence, and integrating technology usage into the environment.There are a many things that need to be

done throughout your day. However, you must be intentional in helping students stay engaged in learning so they begin to develop the skills they will need

to use beyond the classroom.

Here Are Three Tips To Keep In Mind:

· Cultivate Curiosity – Foster a classroom environment of engagement based on your students’ interests, thought- provoking questions, intriguing anecdotes, or real-world examples that connects the lesson content to their lives or current events that make learning meaningful.

· Embrace Learning – Move beyond passive instruction and embrace different strategies that help your students

retains information to empower them to become active participants in their learning journey through group

discussions, debates, simulations, collaboration, and hands-on experiments.

· Constructive Feedback – Provide timely opportunities that lets your students focuses on both strengths and areas

for improvement by encouraging a growth mindset which emphasizes the value of effort and persistence for them

to reflect on their learning experiences, to assess their progress, and set goals for future growth.