TL;DR:
- Educators want their students excited about their content but it can be challenging when you struggle with low energy and engagement.
- Focus on the first five minutes of each class, incorporating fun games and activities to create enthusiasm.
- Other ideas to maintain the focus on those initial minutes include upbeat music, greetings, and engaging questions, which results in increased student excitement, engagement, and a positive classroom culture.
The Challenge: Fostering Excitement for Math and Writing
As a little girl, I imagined my future classroom—what it would look like, feel like, and sound like. From my living room with my stuffed animals to my first classroom with no windows, one thing stayed consistent: I wanted students to be excited to be there. I failed to acknowledge one area that would create a problem for that excitement; I taught math and writing. Not many middle school students get excited about those two subject areas.
Don’t jump into content right away. Allow yourself to have a few minutes of silliness, whether it’s fun questions, dance parties, or games. You won’t regret it. I promise. Click To TweetI started my class like every textbook and professor had suggested, with a bell ringer and a learning target. I greeted students at the door, had upbeat music, and sometimes put a fun graphic on my intro slide. However, once I started class, the energy was low and engagement was minimal. While I was excited to jump into the exciting lesson I had created, students didn’t share the excitement.
I was distraught but optimistic.
I constantly updated my intro slides to include materials students needed, a silly gif, fun fonts, and simplified bell ringer questions. However, despite my best efforts, students still lacked enthusiasm for my class.
Remote Teaching: Focusing on the First Five Minutes
Then COVID hit.
We were teaching from home with the expectation that students still needed to learn something. I kept thinking, “If they aren’t interested in my class while we’re together, they certainly won’t be while they are at home.”
I decided to focus on the first five minutes of each class period. Music was playing when they logged in to our video call. Funny gifs or memes were displayed on the screen. I would show pictures of materials they needed to grab but tried to include something to make them smile. “Have something to write on, but using the wall is frowned upon.”
Then when class would start, we would play a game that required them to turn their cameras on—thumbs up or down, hold up the number of fingers, or go grab certain items to show the class. All held the expectation that students would need to turn their cameras on, even for a moment.
After a few minutes of “silliness,” we would jump into the content. Again, I would look for ways for them to stay engaged such as turning their cameras on to hold up answers or typing their answers in the chat. I focused on giving every student a voice every day. I let go of forcing rigor and deadlines. I met them where they were, which was in their homes, distracted by a long list of things.
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In-Person Teaching: Sustaining Engagement and Creating a Positive Classroom Culture in the First Five Minutes
When we came back to the classroom together, I decided to hold on to the focus of those initial minutes of class. I kept the upbeat music, door greetings, and intro slides that I had before. This time, I incorporated all the fun games I had played while we were remote. Students were more interested in joining in when they only had to hold up a thumb or a paper with an answer on it. I switch the bell ringers to be funny questions like, “You can only have one dessert for the rest of your life, what would it be?” I focused on building a positive classroom culture, every day.
Here’s what I found: Students started to show excitement for my class. They were more engaged in the lesson and had more stamina when the content got difficult. Most importantly, students felt comfortable to fail. Each class period was treated like a family unit, so when a student struggled, every student empathized. Those silly arguments about what the best cereal was had built a unified foundation because we had gotten to know each other a little bit better.
Here’s the takeaway.
Don’t jump into content right away. Allow yourself to have a few minutes of silliness, whether it’s fun questions, dance parties, or games. You won’t regret it. I promise. While a few minutes might seem like it’s going to impact the pacing of your curriculum, it won’t. Students will be more invested in their learning which will make up for the time you spent on establishing a positive classroom environment.
Need some help thinking of fun games or engaging questions? Let me know! I love a good brainstorming session!
I’m excited to see what you do in those first 5 minutes!
Check out the “Making the Most of Your First Five Minutes” FREE course in the Teach Better Academy!
About Katie Miglin
Katie Miglin was a former classroom teacher of 13 years in the middle school setting. She taught 7th grade for all thirteen years with a few sections of 6th and 8th grade sprinkled throughout. Her experience includes teaching Writing and Math. During her time in the schools, Katie has held a variety of roles including Fellowship of Christian Athletes Huddle Leader, Curriculum Chair, Drama Club Director, and PBIS Tier 1 Coach. She has also been a part of the building leadership team, community outreach team, and before school program.
Katie is now working for the Teach Better Team as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction. In this role, Katie coordinates several events including the 12 Hour Live and the Teach Better Conference, as well as provides professional development for school districts. Through this position, Katie has had the pleasure of connecting with other educators from all over the world and has loved meeting innovative and hardworking people from all walks of life.
While working has always brought Katie joy, her true love is at home with her husband, 2 daughters and dog. She loves working out, reading, and doing anything that involves the outdoors.
