Engage!

Written by: bmoeggenberg
Friday, March 12th, 2010

We all understand the message by now: engage students to optimize learning.

I came across a report that lists the leading instructional strategies that lead to optimal engagement. Here are the top ones with accompanying websites from nT:

Games, Fun

Maryland Public Television: Lure of the Labyrinth

http://labyrinth.thinkport.org/www/

Primary goal of this digital game is to enhance pre-algebra mathematics by solving problems while trying to free one’s pet from the monster. Throughout the game, players are in communication with teammates via an in-game message board. Puzzles are designed to help students embody the thinking, processes, and habits of a mind of a scientist, mathematician or engineer. Free registration is required.

Keywords: Lure of the Labyrinth, problem solving games

Wonderville: Forces of Wonder

http://www.wonderville.ca/v1/activities/strongman/strongman.html

This interactive game will challenge students to prove that they understand the forces of compression, torsion, shearing, and tension. T

Keywords: forces game

Inconsequential competition

Arcademic Skill Builders: Multiplication Grand Prix

http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/games/grand_prix/grand_prix.swf

Grand Prix Multiplication is a revolutionary new multi-player racing game. Students race against each other to capture the Multiplication Cup. How quickly the student correctly answers the multiplication problem determines how quickly the race car will go. The student with the fastest rate of correct answers will win the race. Hits and misses are recorded and displayed at the end of the game, along with the student’s rate.

Keywords: multiplication game

Physical movement

Childdrama.com: Creative Drama

http://www.childdrama.com/lessons.html

Many lesson plans with ideas for teachers and students, sorted by age and by type! Wonderful for thematic approaches.

Keyword: In elementary: creative dramatics

Humor

In Middle: keyword: comic strips

Use these sites to incorporate the use of comic strip creation into any type of class work, like this one. Students can create their own lighter side!

ReadWriteThink: Comic Creator

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/comic/index.html

This Comic Creator makes it easy for students to create their own comic strips. Use it for prewriting, reading activities, responding to literature, and more.

Friendly controversy

In Middle: keyword: controversy

These topics ought to get the classroom population in an uproar!

Santa Ana College: Controversial Issues

http://www.sac.edu/students/library/nealley/websites/controversial.htm

Santa Ana College provides a list of controversial issues and resources regarding these issues. Many of the resources provide views from the pro, the con, and the neutral.

Talking about themselves

Keyword in Elementary: All About Me

Sites have great ideas to get students thinking about who they are.

Some great sites here too: Middle: Social Studies > Understanding History > Chronological Relationships and Patterns > Family History

Students can trace their family history and find out why they are the way they are!

Unusual information

Keyword in Middle: extreme places

Find two sites about extreme climates on the Earth’s surface

Keyword in Middle: Bigfoot! Had to leave you with this!

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Friday, March 12th, 2010 Training