If students were connected to their learning then they would not less be distracted and more engaged.
- Provide highly engaging relevant lessons with variety linked to what they know
- Create enough down time to do their own work.
- Let students select music which helps them to learn.
- Offer opportunities to do group work and peer work as well as one to one.
- Bring in experts who are engaging and relate to the learning.
We have started our new year 9 Social Studies on 'Understanding our Government' and the first lesson is called 'Survivor'. This lesson involves students working in groups to survive on a deserted island with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. They do all the activities on a big piece of A3 paper and have to work together to complete tasks. I take them slide by slide through the powerpoint and allow them time to discuss and complete the tasks. I did this during one of our double periods so as not to rush the teams.
It is interesting to see how each group works. There are 1 or 2 with obvious leaders whereas others work equally together. Students seem to enjoy the discussions and are forced to work together and get to an agreement. At the end of the lesson, my year 9's agreed that it was a fun activity to do and they learnt about how and why working in groups can help their learning.
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