Hacking Engagement - Hacks 6-10

#D100blogger PD
Hacking Engagement - 50 Tips and Tools - To Engage Teachers and Learners Daily - by James Alan Sturtevant -

Hacks 6-10
Loved this picture from @Litlovegal1 - Catch up on the previous post here:

Hack #6 Class Procedures Night At The Improv

Problem: Classroom Rules Presentations Torment Students on the First Day of School.

The Hack: Create a Class Procedures Night at the Improv

The OLD adage - "Don't let them see you smile until Thanksgiving" - 😠 does not engage students on the first day of school.  Expectations must be communicated but make certain to warmly embrace engagement too. 😊

Have students get in small groups and identify common classrooms rules such as - Be on time to class.⏰ Students create acting/drama scenes to depict the rule and suggest consequences to breaking the rule.  Be sure to put some dramatic of students that like to "ham" it up in each group.  

Scenes could be made into short video to play for other classes or to review when needed.

Post the classroom procedures in classroom and links to the fun videos. 

Nice Segue to Hack #7 Below ⇓

Hack #7 Create a Movie Trailer For Your Class

Problem : You Need a New Way to Generate Curiosity and Enthusiasm For Your Class

The Hack: Create a Movie Trailer For Your Class

Teachers can take the students classroom videos of expectations and  add their own voice and character to create a buzz of interest, curiosity and enthusiasm for your students and their families.

This could be on powerpoint, Prezi, voice over and upload it to YouTube. 

Connect the parents to watch the trailer of your needed information along with the next months activities. 

Hack #8 Build A Student Avatar

Problem: Teachers Don't Know Their Students

The Hack : Create an Avatar of Your Typical Student

Getting to know your students is critical for engagement and  learning about them.  A quick  monkey survey with  10 easy questions that ask about what they do outside of school, about their family and how they learn best is a great way for the students to share with you.

Introduce the concept of an Avatar and help them choose characteristics about them that they would like to portray to others.  They can use this as their profile pic in class. Kids find this fascinating and will facilitate communication and fun.

Hack #9 Build A Classroom Identity and Nurture Belonging

Problem: Students Don't Have an Allegiance To Your Class

The Hack: Create a Classroom Identity

Everyone likes to have a sense of belonging. Classroom and home room allegiance is so important to this feeling.  At the middles schools while we call them 6A or 6B, the teams create names, make t-shirts and even cheers to brand their group.  Vigorously promote this identity and engagement will soar!

Hack #10 Show Them What's Possible

Problem: Students Often Suffer From a Lack Of Vision and Lack of Confidence

The Hack: Show Students What They'll Be Able To Do In The Future

The memory of being handed the University Course Syllabus on the first day of class by the professor still makes my heart pound fast! We want our students to be inspired and be able to set their own goals for learning.  Teachers who can pave the way of steps for learning will set a "Growth Mindset"in their classrooms, grow students that learn that " I can do this!!" 

I enjoyed reading and blogging about Engagement Hacking and need to give credit to the author James Alan Sturtevant and all the other staff involved with our #D100BloggerPD book. Pictures came from Photo Bucket and other free available sources.

I leave you with one of my favorite teacher quotes:

Next up is Sue Butler with Hack Chapters 11-15 here

Jane Bagus

10.24.17