How will providing students with more voice and choice increase their engagement?

Rebecca Johnson

Details

Seminar Title

Concept/Strategy

Focus of the Research

Voice and Choice

Grade Level

Research Was Applied

3rd Grade

Relevant Grade Level

Connections

Elementary

Discipline

Where Research Was Applied

Social Studies

Additional Discipline Areas

I see Application to

All Disciplines

Invitation/Commercial

Do you observe students who lack motivation to participate or are always asking why are we doing this? What about students who are constantly moving or don’t look comfortable in the school chairs? I have definitely made these observations over the years as an elementary teacher and they are only increasing in number. Those observations led me to my research question. How will providing students with more voice and choice increase their engagement? Providing students with opportunities to make selections in their learning is important to their development and comfort in the classroom. Being comfortable isn’t just about a student’s Social and Emotional well-being, it can also be about their physical comfort. Do they like sitting in chairs, or would they rather stand or lay down? I wanted to provide my third grade students with options for how they are able to sit and work in the classroom environment. The ideas I researched and put into practice are beneficial and adaptable across many grade levels and subject areas. My hope is you will walk away with a better understanding of how creating, even small, opportunities for students to make choices and use their own voice will increase their participation in their own learning.