Re: Engaging my students, and still keeping it fun!

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"Fun" does not mean circus, comic show, games and prizes,
when it comes to education.

Engaged and having 'fun' has been misunderstood for years.
Engaged students working at their ablity level, having
material broken down into steps that are comprehendable to
them makes the task ENJOYABLE. It makes the task something
they feel successful at even if slightly bit challenged. If
you help them learn how to learn and learn how to think
through the ideas, they will have 'fun'. Most kids enjoy
learning when they are capable of making the next connection,
connecting the dots in an idea, or knowing the answer. You
need to make sure that every student has this opportunity.
Keep them at the right level, challenge the ones that need
more, the will have 'fun'.

This circus fun, this game and prize fun, this idea of fun
being a barrel of laughs is just wrong. That isn't what is
meant by education being 'fun'.

An experiment with plants can be fun if a student can
successfully perform the steps. It might just be a seed,
dirt, water and charting it every day and it can be 'fun'.

Make sure you really understand this difference. I'm not
saying that an every now and then game of 1776 quiz show
isn't a nice diversion for a learning tool, but the bulk of
the time, this type of 'fun' isn't what is meant by 'fun'.
On 12/01/10, KK wrote:
> I am a junior at the College of Saint Rose. I am studying
> to become a Elementary Education teacher, hopefully teaching
> second or third grade, the little ones are my favorite. I
> really enjoy children and I love being able to go out into
> the real world, and teach them. Knowing that I am going to
> teach children really motivates me to finish school and to
> become the best teacher I can be. Children these days
> really need teachers that are motivated and want their
> students to become the best learners.
> I am wondering if you have any suggestions on keeping my
> future classroom organized and not chaotic. I don't want my
> students to get out of hand, but I do want them to enjoy
> being in my classroom. I want my classroom to be fun and
> engaging, so how do I do this and still teach them
> everything they need to know? How do you keep the students
> engaged and focused, and yet still have fun?
> Do you use some sort of token economy with your students?
> This way they're learning, and motivated to do well in the
> classroom? I really believe using this type of rewards
> system in the primary grades is a great idea.
> I want my future students to have as much fun in school as
> they can, but still get a great education. Please let me
> know if your suggestions.
>
> Thank you so much for your time,
> I look forward to hearing your suggestions.
>
> Thanks again,
> KK
 

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