How to Engage Children in Activities

In coaching and teaching, "Cold Calling" can be a powerful tool for fostering engagement, inclusivity, and confidence in any learning environment. When used thoughtfully, it provides each participant an opportunity to feel seen, heard, and valued. Here are four key techniques to make Cold Calling a positive experience: 1️⃣ Preparation: Give students a chance to collect and organize their thoughts before sharing. Techniques like “Stop and Jot” and “Turn and Talk” ensure everyone has a meaningful contribution, setting the stage for success and quality insights. 2️⃣ Honor the Work: Recognize the quality in students’ responses and make Cold Calls feel like a privilege. Acknowledge a student's insight with specifics (e.g., “Lucas, I love your perspective on…”). This simple affirmation can transform the experience from intimidating to empowering. 3️⃣ Formative Language: Using inviting language like “Can you get us started on…” signals that perfection isn’t the expectation—contributions are. Lowering the stakes helps students feel comfortable participating, even if they’re unsure of their response. 4️⃣ Post-Answer Referencing: Peer validation is crucial. When classmates respond or build upon a student’s answer, it signals that their contributions matter. This encourages future participation and builds a collaborative culture. With these strategies, Cold Calling becomes a tool for connection, rather than intimidation, encouraging an inclusive environment where everyone’s voice is valued. https://lnkd.in/gPDfSi3P

Students who are seen and not heard are students who don’t learn. In the classroom, students should be talking 80% of the time. Here’s why: Students learn when they are speaking. 🗣️ As educators, we need to shift the focus from our voice to their voices. We can guide them, but the real magic happens when they engage in: -conversation -problem-solving -collaborative learning But the above is easier said than done, I know - especially if our current lesson plans and models focus more on our voices. Here are a few evidence-based instructional practices for educators who want to make an intentional shift: 1. Revise your lesson plans. First define whether it’s  a grammar lesson or a comprehension lesson. If it's a comprehension-focused lesson, prioritize communication over perfection. Don’t correct every mistake you hear or observe - that can disrupt the flow and impede learning. But in a grammar lesson, corrections are essential as the focus is on accuracy. Then ask yourself: How can I foster a conversation around this topic? 2. Break students into small groups of 2 or 3 and assign speaking roles. Start with the English speaker with the most experience, allowing other students time to observe. 3. Incorporate tangible items. Give students something to talk about, like a picture or object. Ask them to walk around, discuss, and write down their thoughts. 4. Set time limits. Teachers should speak 20% of the time or less. Time your instructions, repeat key points, model, then let them do the work. Think of yourself as the facilitator, not the lecturer. 5. Observe your students. Walk around, listen, and note where your students struggle and excel. This informs your next steps in supporting their language development. To the other educators out there - any other evidence-based practices you’d offer on this subject? #EducationEquity #LanguageLearning #CulturalHeritage #LanguageLiteracy

The quickest way to lose a class is to start with objectives. The quickest way to win them? Start with a question they actually want answered. When I taught Algebra I swapped “Today we’re learning linear functions” for: * "Could a paper airplane cross the length of a football field?"     * "How long would it take to walk to the top of Mount Everest—on a treadmill?" Heads lifted, pencils moved, and equations suddenly felt useful. Over the years I’ve kept one rule for any lesson I design: open with a curiosity hook that ties directly to the concept. A good hook is: * Short (under 15 seconds)     * Concrete (students can picture it)     * Connected (leads straight into the math)     Here’s what happens when curiosity leads the way: * Engagement rises before the slide deck even appears     * Students remember the concept because they remember the story     * Even the quiet kids take a shot at the first problem     If we want meaningful learning, we have to pay the curiosity tax first.

One strategy used during the Robotics Summer Program to enhance learning was Gamification of the learning experience. Pupils did activities like word search puzzles on concepts being learnt in the class room, kahoot quiz and did hands on learning. It is not trivial to keep young learners whose attention spans had to compete with Youtube shorts and TikToks. By making the classroom have different ice breaking elements everyday and group activities, they were able to stay motivated throughout the 1 week intensive summer program. There were days they worked on drones, played with quadruped robots, robot race competition with line-following robots, word search, Soldering activities, group presentations amongst other things. Sometimes, you have to make them feel in control by making them choose what they want to do subject to them completing an activity. At the end of the day, it's a win-win for students and facilitator. Learning objectives achieved while having fun and being motivated .