Full Description
"Chock full of great ideas and easy to use! Whether you are a novice teacher or an established pro, there is a great deal of worthwhile information in this book. It's obvious that the author has spent most of his life in the classroom. The strategies he offers meet the needs of any teacher."
—Al Diver, Principal
Grosse Pointe South High School, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Proven ideas to keep all students attentive and motivated while learning!
This handy guide is a fun, creative collection of practical strategies that teachers of all grade levels can use to stimulate, invigorate, and re-energize learners whenever they need a "brain break." Each section presents specific activities and engaging techniques to capture and maintain students' attention.
These state-changing activities use movement, games, groups, and adjustments to the classroom environment to help students refocus, be creative, and learn more effectively. The author provides techniques based on brain research to:
Keep the learning environment fresh
Help students focus on the task at hand
Stimulate students' brains in the middle of a lesson
Build a sense of community, teamwork, and rapport in the classroom
Classroom Activators illustrates how simple changes can transform the energy level in your classroom, keep students engaged, and improve learning outcomes.
Contents
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction
Brain Research and the Classroom
Using This Book
How and When to Use These Activities
1. Energize the Environment
The Right Stuff
Lighting
The Sense of Smell
The Effect of Ions
Musical Moments
Varying Your Instruction
Novelty and Surprise
Theme Days
To Get Volunteers
Visual Context
2. Get Your Students' Attention
State of the Class
Feedback
Breathing
Hands and Arms
Voice
Cross Laterals
Heavy Jobs
Novel Movements
3. Energize Your Students
Getting Into Groups
Random Groupings
Get Students Up and Moving
Circle Games
Circadian Rhythm
Silence
Pre-Writing Activities
A Leg Up
Gross Motor
Eyes
Props
4. Build Teams and Community
Getting To Know You
Contemporary Variations
Group Challenges
Just for Fun
References
