"SEC | S19W4: Active and Fun Teaching Strategies"

It is very necessary to apply active and fun teaching strategies in class as a teacher. These activities helps to capture the students' attention, makes them retain what was taught in class and also motivate them to learn attentively with curiosity to want to know more.

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I will use the questions give by the brilliant teachers’ team as guideline for my participation.

I. When Teaching, What Steps will You Use to Create an Active and Fun Classroom Atmosphere?

As a teacher, it is important to understand the capabilities of each student therefore, the aim of teaching should be focused on making the classroom experience fun and enjoyable. The following are the steps I will use to create an active and fun atmosphere in classroom when teaching;

A. Wearing a Smile: this strategy or method doesn't go out of style, once you enter the classroom moody, then consider that day getting ruined. I always try to wear a smile and give my students a welcoming expression so they can be free to ask questions when necessary. Being too strict can traumatize students and put unnecessary fear in them.

B. Creating a Positive Learning Environment: this method mostly help the isolated students, some students are weird, they tend to isolate themselves and get lost in class while the teacher is teaching. It is best to create that positive ground for every student to get involved by grouping them and set a peer learning as well

C. Creating an Interacting sessions: this method is best in-between each point (sub-topics), it is another way to create fun in the classroom by allowing the students to express their thoughts through questions and answers. This also put an end to boredom in class too.

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D. Teaching while Using Real Life Example in Class: this method aids in allowing students process what was taught in class by relating it with real life experience.

E. Giving Random Home Fun Assignment: this is the last step and it is another avenue to promote student's creativity through fun homework activities.

II. What Were the Results After you Implemented these Steps, Were the Students Actively Involved and Happy Following your Lesson?

Absolutely YES! They were actively involved and super excited following my lessons. Two years ago, I was posted to a school as a Biology teacher for one year compulsory service under NYSC scheme.

I was handling Senior Secondary Three (SS 3). Both art and science students were sharing one class room, for the general subjects like; Mathematics and English, they all stayed together to attend the class but once it is time for either a science subject or art subject, the other group of students will be sent out to the library.

Whenever it was time for Biology class, I always noticed that some art students will stay back and begged me to allow them join the class.

This happened because of the strategies I used in classroom with my students.
The result after these strategies were implemented was positive. I noticed that many were ready to put more efforts in my class activities, submit their homework on time because of the curiosity to check, get corrected and compare scores.

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III. In your Opinion, What are the Weaknesses and Strengths of the Strategies you Have Used?

These strategies used in creating active and fun classroom atmosphere came with both strength and weakness. There was collaboration during the learning process, self-confidence was present, the students were motivated, comfortable and bold in asking questions where they don't understand. However, there is always some kind of negative impacts in everything.

The weaknesses include; jealousy and conflict within the students, unnecessary competition on being the teacher's favorite student, there was distraction at some point. Although, I would say that; these strategies are very helpful and its strengths are greater than its weaknesses.

I will invite @eliany, @dove11 and @goodybest to join the challenge. Thank you!