Staying in the loop
When students start to feel left out or singled out they get unfocused and unhappy. Making a student feel a part of everything is important. We always try to encourage group participation in every class.
I do the same thing. I believe this really helps because then other students start to interact with the other asking questions and trying to help. When the classes are new and they are really quiet I will do ice breakers in the start of class for a few days to get them to interact.
A strategy of mine is at the beginning of every class I take about five to ten minutes to go around the room addressing each student by name asking them how their day was. I ask if their are any interesting things that happened to them that they would like to share. While I am doing this I request that everyone gives their undivided attention to whoever is talking at the time. I like to create a personable environment to prevent any student from feeling left out.
Donna--
So true! Students who are connected definitely persist at a higher rate. Making them feel included and part of the classroom 'team' is important.
Susan
I trully agree. This is why I bring in different tools into the classroom setting such as powerpoints, movies/videos and even youtube.
