| Learning activities in the classroom are an important | | | | involving the students in this process makes it less |
| part of teaching. Students thrive on a deviation from | | | | painful. Make sure the activity can include students of |
| the typical lecture-assignment format often seen in | | | | all skill levels so that every child gets a chance to feel |
| classrooms. Classroom activities get kids moving and | | | | included. |
| stimulate their minds. Activities that are taken outdoors | | | | These activities prove to be invaluable teaching tools. |
| can provide exercise and even teach about | | | | The options are endless and many great ideas will |
| environmentalism and biology. Active indoor activities | | | | come from the students themselves. Strive for |
| can help students burn off energy on rainy or snowy | | | | interactive activities like science projects, crafts, and |
| days. | | | | games. Some fun ideas include:oUsing the internet to |
| Even with all the benefits of learning activities, it is still | | | | allow students to research a subject.o Creating their |
| common to see classrooms that rarely deviate from | | | | own flash cards or review games to prepare for a |
| the standard. This is because classroom activities take | | | | test.oHosting a game show based on the format of a |
| planning and preparation, along with materials. Many | | | | popular TV show.oMaking a giant board game in the |
| teachers find putting them together to be tedious and | | | | middle of the classroomoBuilding bird houses and fill |
| time consuming, but with a little notice, activities really | | | | them with different seeds to see which kind attracts |
| can be put together without too much work. | | | | which breeds.oCreating little planters from egg or milk |
| The first step to having fun learning activities is to plan | | | | cartons and allow the children to grow their own |
| ahead. After doing the activity the first time, it will get | | | | vegetable.oHaving relay race for students where they |
| easier and easier. Decide which subject the activity will | | | | must answer a question in order to tag the next |
| teach. Sometimes multiple subjects can be tied | | | | student. |
| together with the right project (history and reading or | | | | Teachers that use classroom activities find that their |
| math and art.) Make sure the lesson is within your | | | | students test higher and are more eager to learn than |
| school's curriculum and then refresh yourself on the | | | | those who must endure hours of lectures and |
| subject by looking through the teacher edition of the | | | | worksheets. Elementary learning is enhanced when |
| text book. | | | | multiple senses are used and students cultivate a love |
| The materials needed should be gathered and brought | | | | for learning when they have active, enthusiastic |
| to the classroom after the idea is developed. Keep in | | | | teachers. So break out of the mundane lesson plans |
| mind most activities will require setup and clean up; | | | | and get creative. Your students will thank you! |