The Gamified Teacher

Because of student apathy, low reading levels, and short attention spans, many teachers feel that class reading time is like pulling teeth, but it doesn't have to be that way. Reading, whether as a whole class or in small groups, can be entertaining and engaging for students and teachers alike. You simply need to add a little gamification to your reading routine. Hook'em The first step to successful gamification is hooking your students. How will you approach the reading in a way that is new, entertaining, and interactive? Students need to see the fun in the activity from the very start, or they won't be invested in the game or engaged in the reading.  For example, instead of telling them they'll be researching background information and filling out a quiz on the topic, I tell them they'll be competing in teams to complete the background scavenger hunt first. Adding teams and competition is a great way to amp up the fun and get more students to buy in. Once the rea...

Let's admit it. Getting students to engage in learning since COVID has been a bit of a struggle. It just seems like some of those tried and true methods aren't working for as many of our students as usual. There's no need to get discouraged though. We simply need to do what teachers do best - use our creativity to adapt.   I've found that incorporating more game-style interactions into my lessons and assignments has not only increased engagement, but also learning. As a result, I've developed a lot of ELA games that my students love to play. If you'd like to do the same, check out these 10 tips on ELA gamification. Make it a Competition The easiest way to gamify anything is to simply make it a competition. Who will find the literary device first? Which group can find the most evidence? Which pair can find and fix the most errors? You get the idea.   This strategy may seem overused, but it truly works! In fact, when I proposed a competition between my classes to ...