Whether working with younger or older students, hands-on activities can make a huge difference in engagement, retention, and critical thinking. The best part about implementing this approach is you don’t need an elaborate setup or endless resources to implement it, all you need is to design opportunities where students learn by doing.

By engaging in these dynamic activities, students are empowered to connect academic concepts with practical applications, enriching and transforming their educational journey.

Experiential Learning for Younger Students

Younger students are naturally curious and love exploring the world around them, these activities harness that energy while reinforcing key skills.

Dramatic Play & Role-Playing

Dramatic play isn’t just for preschool, it’s a fun way for students to process learning at all elementary levels. Students build communication skills, empathy, and problem-solving abilities by stepping into different roles.

How to Implement:

• Set up role-playing scenarios based on lessons. For example, If you’re teaching a unit on community helpers, create a mini post office, grocery store, or hospital.
• Incorporate historical reenactments. If students are learning about famous explorers or historical figures, have them act out a day in their lives.
• Use puppets or simple costumes to help students embody characters and bring stories to life.

Outdoor Learning Adventures

When you take learning outside it adds a new layer of engagement. Even a short outdoor activity can reinforce science, math, and literacy skills.

How to Implement:

• Take students on a nature scavenger hunt where they collect or observe different types of leaves, insects, or rocks.
• Use sidewalk chalk to practice spelling words, math facts, or storytelling.
• Create a simple outdoor science experiment, like making rain gauges to track precipitation over time or test how different types of soil (sand, clay, and garden soil) absorb water and how erosion occurs.

Hands-On Science Experiments

Science comes alive when students can see, touch, and manipulate materials. Simple experiments help young learners grasp abstract concepts through direct experience.

How to Implement:

• Make a baking soda and vinegar volcano to explore chemical reactions.
• Grow a plant from a seed to teach about life cycles and responsibility.
• Explore buoyancy by testing different objects in a water bin to see which ones sink or float.

Sensory-Based Learning

Engaging the senses is one of the best ways to help young students process and retain information. Sensory learning is an effective strategy, whether through tactile materials, scents, or movement.

How to Implement:

• Use kinetic sand or shaving cream for letter and number formation practice.
• Create a “mystery bag” filled with objects students must describe using their sense of touch.
• Play music or incorporate movement into lessons to reinforce concepts like jumping on number mats for math problems or clapping to syllables in a poem.

Experiential Learning for Older Students

Older students need engaging, hands-on learning experiences just as much as the younger ones. The key is to ensure activities are relevant, thought-provoking, and connected to real-world applications.

Project-Based Learning (PBL)

Instead of simply memorizing facts, project-based learning allows students to tackle meaningful challenges while applying multiple skills. They explore concepts deeply and collaboratively.

How to Implement:

• Assign students a real-world problem, such as designing an eco-friendly home, creating a marketing campaign for a fictional product, or developing a plan to improve their school.
• Have students work in teams to research, create prototypes, and present their findings.
• Encourage creativity by allowing students to showcase their projects in different ways, such as videos, presentations, or digital portfolios.

STEM Challenges

Interactive STEM activities build critical thinking and problem-solving skills by requiring students to experiment, adapt, and persevere through challenges.

How to Implement:

• Consider an “egg drop challenge” where students design protective containers to keep an egg from breaking when it’s dropped from a height.
• Task students to build the tallest tower using only marshmallows or something similar to explore engineering principles.
• Organize a bridge-building challenge with popsicle sticks and glue to test structural strength.

Field and Virtual Experiences and Expeditions

Experiential learning doesn’t always have to happen in the classroom. Taking students into real-world settings or bringing the world to them can deepen understanding and make learning more memorable.

How to Implement:

• Arrange field trips to science centers, historical sites, or businesses where students can see concepts in action.
• Use virtual reality or online platforms like Google Expeditions to take students on digital field trips to faraway places like the Great Wall of China, the ocean depths, or outer space.
• Bring in guest speakers from different industries to share their expertise and give students insight into various careers.

Class Discussions & Debates

Older students love sharing their opinions, especially when they can back them up with evidence. Structured class discussions and debates help students to think critically, consider different perspectives, and improve their communication skills.

How to Implement:

• Pick a thought-provoking question related to a book, historical event, or current issue.
• Have students research different viewpoints and share their arguments.
• Set up a class debate or a group discussion where students take turns presenting their ideas and responding to others.

Real-World Money Challenges

Teaching students how money works in a hands-on way helps them build important life skills. Through fun activities, let them experience budgeting, saving, and decision-making.

How to Implement:

• Have students create their own businesses designing products and setting prices.
• Use classroom money for budgeting activities, like planning a small event or “shopping” within a set budget.
• Try a stock market game where students “invest” in companies and track their progress over time.

Bringing experiential learning into your classroom doesn’t mean you have to overhaul everything you’re already doing. Small shifts can make a big impact. Try incorporating one or two hands-on strategies into your lessons and build from there.

Connect experiential activities to real-life situations that students care about to make a more meaningful experience. Remember, things don’t always go as planned. Part of experiential learning is allowing students to explore, problem-solve, and adapt. Have fun with it, if you’re excited about an activity, students will be too!

Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

The post Engaging Experiential Learning Activities for Students appeared first on TeachHUB.

But the good news? You can help your students turn things around. With the right structure, a little inspiration, and a lot of choice, your students can start producing projects that feel fresh, exciting, and worth celebrating. Here’s how to guide them in that direction.

Let Students Have a Voice and a Choice

One of the quickest ways to see a difference in the quality of your students’ projects is by giving them ownership. When kids feel like they get to do something instead of having to do it, their energy shifts, and they tend to care more.

Start by offering options. Maybe it’s choosing the topic. Maybe it’s choosing how to present it. You can even go full menu-style and let them pick from a range of project formats: podcast, blog post, short film, infographic, skit—you name it. The point is, that when students feel like their ideas and preferences matter, they naturally engage more deeply.

If you’re not sure where to start, tap into their interests. Take a few minutes to ask about what lights them up outside of school. Maybe they’re obsessed with video games, animals, or baking. Help them channel those interests into their projects.

You can also weave in Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences to figure out how your students best express themselves; some shine when they write, others when they build, act, or code. Knowing how they learn helps you help them play to their strengths.

And while it’s important to let them lead, your role still matters. Be their soundboard, their cheerleader, and the person who helps them push their thinking a little further. Students thrive when they feel supported but not steered.

Promote Collaboration Through Group Work

When it comes to helping students create stronger projects, sometimes more really is better. Bringing together different voices and perspectives can take a basic idea and turn it into something much more meaningful.

Encourage your students to work in groups and take on roles that complement their strengths, but instead of assigning totally separate tasks, focus on roles that require real teamwork. The goal is collaboration, not division. Let them bounce ideas off one another, problem-solve as a team, and lean into what each person does best. That’s where creativity really starts to shine.

Keep an eye on group dynamics. Some students may need help learning how to listen, compromise, or take initiative. Build in regular check-ins where students reflect on how the group is working, not just on what they’re creating. This helps foster skills that go way beyond the project itself—skills like communication, empathy, and teamwork.

Cross Classrooms (and Even Borders!)

Sometimes, the best ideas come when students get to step outside of their usual environment. If you want to inject some new energy into a project, consider partnering up with another class. It could be another teacher on your team, a specialist like an art or music teacher, or even a class in a different grade.

Want to take it even further? Use tools like Zoom, Google Meet, or Flip to connect with students from another school, city, or even country. Collaborative projects with students outside their own bubble challenge kids to think globally, communicate clearly and consider other perspectives. That’s the kind of learning that sticks.

Plus, having an outside audience can be a powerful motivator. When students know that people beyond their classroom walls will see their work, they often try harder and think more creatively.

Tie Projects to the Real World

Relevance is transformative. When students recognize how their projects relate to something greater than school, they are more likely to engage and put forth their best effort.

Look around your community. What issues could your students explore through their projects? Perhaps there is a local park that needs cleaning or a shelter that could benefit from more support. Maybe traffic safety is a concern in your town, or there is a lack of recycling bins at school. Turn these real-world problems into project prompts.

When students understand their work has the potential to create positive change, they are more likely to invest time, thought, and creativity into what they produce.

Rethink the Way Projects Are Shared

Sometimes the problem isn’t the project itself, it’s the way it’s presented. If every student is standing in front of the class reading off an index card, it’s no wonder the energy falls flat. Instead, encourage students to find unique ways to share their work.

That could mean turning a research project into a short documentary, a podcast episode, a comic strip, or even a mini-exhibit where classmates walk around and interact with the projects.

Tech tools open up even more possibilities. iMovie, Canva, Book Creator, Google Slides with voiceovers, green screen apps—there are so many options to help students elevate their presentations and make them feel professional and polished.

Also, consider hosting a “Project Showcase” day where students invite families or community members to see their work. When there’s a real audience, students tend to up their game.

The most meaningful student projects are the ones that come from the heart. These are the projects students are truly excited to create, that tap into their unique strengths and align with how they learn best.

The teacher’s role shifts from leading every step to guiding from the sidelines, offering direction and support when needed, but ultimately giving students the space to take ownership.

When kids have the freedom to make creative choices and present their work in a way that feels true to them, the final result is almost always more thoughtful, more engaging, and more authentic.

Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

The post How to Get Your Classes to Create Better Student Projects appeared first on TeachHUB.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to STEM lessons, crafting an effective one ensures that all students stay engaged and learn in meaningful ways.

Here are some key questions to ask yourself when planning a STEM lesson, along with practical tips to take it to the next level.

Questions to Consider When Designing a STEM Lesson

Before diving into a lesson, consider these key questions to ensure it’s meaningful, relevant, and impactful for your students.

Does the Lesson Address a Real-World Problem?

Start by asking yourself if the lesson presents a real-world issue. The goal is to spark curiosity and encourage students to dive deeper into problem-solving. For example, students might design a solution to make a product safer, create something to protect local wildlife or find ways to reduce waste in their community.

The key is to choose something that sparks curiosity and encourages students to investigate further. When students see the real-world impact of their work, they’re more likely to stay engaged. The possibilities are endless—you just need to know where to look!

Can Students Relate to the Problem?

If you want students to truly engage, the problem needs to be relevant to their lives. Giving them a few options to choose from allows them to take ownership of their learning, which naturally increases engagement.

Think about issues connected to their daily experience, health and nutrition, environmental sustainability, or even sports and music. The more personal the problem feels, the more invested they’ll be in finding a solution.

Are There Multiple Solutions?

An effective STEM lesson doesn’t have just one “right” answer. Students should be able to think critically and develop various solutions to the problem. For example, if students are designing a way to help a classmate in a wheelchair carry their belongings, there isn’t just one correct solution.

Your lesson should encourage students to explore multiple solutions and think outside the box. The goal is to give them the freedom to explore different approaches and see where their creativity takes them.

Encourage questions like:

• “What are some different ways to solve this problem?”
• “How can we test which solution works best?”
• “What changes can we make to improve our design?”

The key is to encourage creativity and allow room for different ideas to emerge.

Does the Lesson Integrate All Four STEM Components?

A well-rounded STEM lesson incorporates science, technology, engineering, and math. While these components don’t have to be evenly distributed, students should see how they work together to solve problems. Too often, students view subjects in isolation.

A strong STEM lesson shows them that math and science aren’t just standalone subjects – they intersect in ways that are both practical and essential. Think about how each component can naturally fit into your lesson.

Here’s an example of how these elements can work together:

• Science: Understanding how materials react to heat when designing an insulated lunchbox.
• Technology: Using digital tools to design a blueprint or test different materials.
• Engineering: Building and refining the actual prototype.
• Math: Measuring materials, calculating temperature changes, or analyzing test results.

Is the Lesson Hands-On?

STEM learning is all about inquiry, and hands-on exploration is key. Try using a Project-Based Learning Approach, where students work through problems with flexibility and choice.

Encourage them to brainstorm, build prototypes, take risks, and learn from their mistakes. When students can touch, build, and manipulate materials, their engagement and understanding deepen.

Practical Tips to Employ

Here are four suggestions on how to make your STEM lesson even better.

1. Require Students to Create a Model or Prototype

A great STEM lesson should include a tangible model. When students see their ideas come to life, they gain a better understanding of the problem, and how to improve their solution. It also gives them the chance to test, refine, and troubleshoot, just like real-world engineers and scientists do.

2. Integrate Technology

Technology plays a crucial role in STEM learning. Students can use it to research, test ideas, or even incorporate digital tools into their designs. Make sure they recognize how technology supports problem-solving.

3. Encourage Collaboration

STEM isn’t meant to be a solo mission. Working together helps students build communication and interpersonal skills while tackling challenges as a team. Even if a student prefers to work independently, collaboration is a crucial skill they’ll need in the real world.

The ability to communicate ideas, listen to others, and build on each other’s strengths makes the learning experience more powerful. Give them the space to brainstorm, experiment, and troubleshoot—because the best ideas often come from collaboration.

4. Provide an Authentic Audience

Every great project needs an audience! Before students begin, let them know they’ll be sharing their results. This could be with classmates, parents, a blog, or even through a virtual platform.  Presenting their work helps students refine their ideas and take pride in their solutions.

If you want students to develop the skills they’ll need for the future, you have to start planting those seeds today. A great STEM lesson isn’t just about what students do—it’s about how you guide them.

The way you plan, the questions you ask, and the opportunities you provide can transform your classroom into an exciting, inquiry-driven learning environment. So go ahead—bring STEM to life, and watch your students thrive!

Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

The post Creating an Effective Stem Lesson appeared first on TeachHUB.

The thing is, fiction usually steals the show. But the truth? Real stories can be just as exciting and even more meaningful. Biographies, in particular, can teach kids powerful life lessons and give them background knowledge that helps across every subject in school.

Let’s take a closer look at why biographies are worth reading and which ones tend to spark the most interest in young readers.

Why Biographies Matter

Biographies aren’t just stories from the past. They’re full of heart, courage, and lessons that stick with you long after the last page. Here’s what makes them stand out.

They Introduce Kids to Real-Life Role Models

It’s one thing to read about a made-up hero who conquers a dragon, but it’s another to read about a real person who faced fear, failure, or prejudice and kept going anyway. Biographies show kids that greatness isn’t reserved for the rich or famous.

It’s often found in everyday people who stay true to their values, work hard, and make a difference. Whether it’s someone who became the first to break a barrier, speak out against injustice, or invent something we now take for granted, these stories remind kids that they, too, have the potential to leave their mark on the world.

They’re Packed With Life Lessons

Every biography is a behind-the-scenes look at someone’s journey, the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Reading about someone who failed multiple times before finding success can be especially powerful. It normalizes the ups and downs of life and helps kids understand that growth often comes through struggle.

They Bring History to Life

History can feel like a jumble of dates and names when taught out of context. But when kids read about someone who lived through an event, whether it’s the Civil War, the moon landing, or the Civil Rights Movement, it becomes personal and it sticks.

Biographies put a human face to history. Instead of memorizing facts, students feel like they’ve traveled back in time and walked alongside someone who experienced it all firsthand. That kind of learning is unforgettable.

Biographies Kids Actually Want to Read

Now that we’ve talked about why biographies matter, let’s look at some engaging categories and titles that resonate with young readers. There’s something here for every interest, from politics and science to adventure and activism.

Presidential Lives and Leaders

Biographies about U.S. Presidents can give kids insight into the foundations of our country and the qualities that define leadership.

Titles about George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt offer powerful glimpses into courage, innovation, and resilience. And it’s not just the Founding Fathers—more recent figures like Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter offer a more modern lens on what it means to lead with compassion and vision.

For students fascinated by the military or U.S. history, stories about leaders like Ulysses S. Grant, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Robert E. Lee can also spark curiosity and deepen understanding of complex events like the Civil War and World War II.

Try these:

• Who Was Abraham Lincoln? by Janet B. Pascal
• I Am George Washington by Brad Meltzer
• Kid Presidents: True Tales of Childhood from America’s Presidents by David Stabler

Adventurers and Explorers

If your students enjoy thrilling stories, biographies of explorers are gold. Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan, and James Cook braved the unknown and changed how we view the world.

Space exploration is another huge hit, kids are captivated by astronauts like Neil Armstrong, Sally Ride, and Mae Jemison. Their journeys into the vast unknown not only tell the story of science but of bravery, curiosity, and human determination.

Try these:

• Who Was Neil Armstrong? by Roberta Edwards
• The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles (while not a traditional explorer, her bravery in uncharted social territory makes her a modern-day explorer of justice)
• To the Stars! The First American Woman to Walk in Space by Carmella Van Vleet and Kathy Sullivan

Trailblazing Women

Biographies of strong women show kids that determination knows no gender. Girls and boys alike can be inspired by the stories of Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, and Malala Yousafzai. Helen Keller’s biography opens up conversations about perseverance in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles.

Jane Goodall’s passion for animals encourages kids to connect with the natural world. And Katherine Johnson’s work with NASA proves that math and science careers aren’t just for men. These stories are powerful reminders that history is full of women who dared to defy the norms of their time.

Try these:

• Who Was Rosa Parks? by Yona Zeldis McDonough
• Amelia Earhart (Little People, BIG DREAMS) by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara
• Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Keller by Doreen Rappaport

Biographies in Science

Curious minds light up when they learn about real inventors and scientists who changed the world. Kids who love to ask questions will be fascinated by Thomas Edison and the birth of electricity, or Alexander Graham Bell and the invention of the telephone.

Modern innovators and engineers of modern technology can also appeal to tech-savvy students who are growing up in the age of smartphones and AI. These stories help kids see how creativity and persistence go hand in hand.

Biographies in science also give students the chance to explore careers they might not have considered and encourage them to follow their own ideas, no matter how “out there” they may seem.

Try these:

• Who Was Thomas Edison? by Margaret Frith
• Alexander Graham Bell: An Inventive Life by Elizabeth MacLeod
• Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly (Young Readers’ Edition)

Fiction is fun to read, and there’s always room for imagination in a child’s reading life. But biographies offer something uniquely powerful. They show students what it looks like to face the real world with courage, creativity, and heart. By adding more nonfiction stories to your shelves, you’re giving kids more than just facts. You’re giving them stories of courage, hope, and possibility.

The post Nonfiction Books to Excite Students appeared first on TeachHUB.

Experiment 1: Volcano Eruption

Volcano Eruption demonstrates a fun and visually exciting chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar, simulating a volcanic eruption with bubbling “lava.”

Materials Needed

• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Red food coloring
• Dish soap
• A small plastic bottle
• Modeling clay or papier-mâché (optional)
• A tray or large dish

Instructions

1. Create your volcano by molding modeling clay or papier-mâché around the plastic bottle, leaving the bottle’s opening uncovered. (This is optional. The experiment still works without this step)
2. Place the volcano on a tray to catch any overflow.
3. Add a couple of tablespoons of baking soda to the bottle.
4. Pour a small amount of dish soap into the bottle.
5. Add a few drops of red food coloring to give the lava its fiery color.
6. Pour vinegar into the bottle and watch the volcano erupt!

How did that work?

The eruption is a chemical reaction between baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid), which creates a chemical reaction that releases carbon dioxide gas, making the mixture bubble up and overflow like lava!

Experiment 2: Balloon Rocket

Balloon Rocket demonstrates Newton’s third law of motion by using escaping air from a balloon to create thrust, propelling it along a string.

Materials Needed

• Long balloons
• String
• Straws
• Tape
• Two chairs

Instructions

1. Tie one end of the string to the back of a chair.
2. Thread a straw onto the string, then tie the other end of the string to another chair.
3. Inflate a balloon without tying the end and tape it to the straw.
4. Pull the straw to one end of the string.
5. Let go of the balloon and watch it race along the string.

How did that work?

As the air escapes from the balloon, it creates a thrust that propels the balloon forward along the string. This demonstrates Newton’s third law of motion: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Experiment 3: Make a Rainbow

Make a Rainbow demonstrates how light refraction creates a spectrum of colors when it passes through water and reflects off a mirror.

Materials Needed

• Clear container with water
• Mirror
• Sheet of white paper
• Access to a sunlit window

Instructions

1. Place the bowl in front of the window, then place the mirror partway into the water facing the light.
2. Hold the paper to intersect the reflection and watch as the rainbow appears.

How did that work?

This experiment demonstrates when light is refracted. When light enters another substance of a different density, it causes the light to bend, and this shows up on paper as different bands of color.

Experiment 4: Walking Water

Walking Water demonstrates capillary action as colored water moves through paper towel fibers, transferring liquid from one cup to another.

Materials Needed

• Clear cups
• Water
• Different color food coloring
• White paper towels

 Instructions

1. Cut a paper towel in half.
2. Fold one piece half lengthwise, and half lengthwise again, so you have a long strip of paper towel. Do this twice.
3. Line three cups next to one another in a row. Fill the outer cups with water and a drop of food coloring and leave the inner one empty.
4. Place one end of the paper towel strip in the cup with water, and the other end in the empty cup. Do the same with the other paper towel strip.
5. Watch as the colored water “walks” from the outer cups to the middle cup. This is fascinating.

How did it work?

The water travels through gaps in the paper towel fibers and “walks” into the empty jar. This is a process called capillary action.

Experiment 5: Static Electricity

Static Electricity demonstrates how rubbing a balloon transfers electrons, creating a negative charge that attracts small paper pieces through static electricity.

Materials Needed

• Balloon
• Wool cloth or your hair
• Tissue paper or small paper pieces

Instructions

1. Inflate the balloon and tie it closed.
2. Rub the balloon vigorously on the wool cloth or your hair for about 30 seconds.
3. Hold the balloon close to the tissue paper or small paper pieces and watch as they are attracted to the balloon.

How did it work?

Rubbing the balloon transfers electrons from the wool or hair to the balloon, giving it a negative charge. The negatively charged balloon attracts the positively charged paper pieces due to the static electricity created.

Experiment 6: Invisible Ink

Invisible Ink demonstrates how lemon juice oxidizes when heated, revealing a hidden message through a simple chemical change.

Materials Needed

• Lemon juice
• Water
• Cotton swabs or a small paintbrush
• White paper
• Iron or a lamp

Instructions

1. Mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a small container.
2. Use a cotton swab or paintbrush to write a message on the white paper using the lemon juice mixture.
3. Allow the paper to dry completely.
4. To reveal the hidden message, gently heat the paper using an iron set on low or by holding it close to a lamp.

How did it work?

Lemon juice is an organic substance that oxidizes and turns brown when heated. The heat causes the written message to become visible, illustrating the chemical changes that occur with heat.

Experiment 7: Will it Leak?

Will it Leak? Demonstrates how flexible polymers in plastic bags create a temporary seal around pencils, preventing water from leaking until the seal is broken.

Materials Needed

• Water
• Plastic storage bags
• Sharp pencils

Instructions

1. Fill the bag with water and make sure there are no holes in the bag.
2. Have one student hold the top of the bag tight, while another person sticks the pencils straight (not angled) through the bag.
3. Challenge students to see how many pencils they can get through the bag before it breaks.
4. Disclaimer – make sure you do it outdoors because you may get wet.

How did that work?

Plastic bags are made of a material called Polymers. Polymers are flexible, so when you stick a pencil through them, they push back on the pencil to form a seal. When you remove the pencils, the water leaks out because the Polymers are pushed aside.

These experiments are not only fun but also serve as an excellent introduction to scientific principles for 5th graders.

Each experiment demonstrates fundamental concepts such as chemical reactions, motion, density, and static electricity. By participating in these activities, young students can develop a passion for science and a curiosity about how the world works.

Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

The post Fizz, Bang, Boom! Fun Science Experiments for 5th Graders appeared first on TeachHUB.

A well-designed rubric not only sets clear expectations for students but also makes grading presentations manageable and equitable. Here are a few effective rubric styles educators can use to assess student presentations as well as a few tips for tailoring them to meet your classroom needs.

Why Use a Rubric?

Before we look at a few examples, let’s take a quick look at why rubrics are so essential. Rubrics provide a clear framework for evaluation, which helps eliminate the guesswork for both you and your students.

They outline exactly what you’re looking for, breaking the presentation into manageable, assessable chunks. This is great for students because it shows them how to prepare and where to focus their efforts. For you, a rubric is a lifesaver during grading. It ensures consistency, minimizes bias, and makes it easier to provide constructive feedback.

The Holistic Rubric

The Holistic Rubric assesses students on a whole rather than on specific sections of a presentation. If you want to focus on the overall presentation, then this is the rubric to use. Here is how it breaks down.

Excellent (4 points) – The presentation is engaging, clear, and well-organized. The student demonstrates a deep understanding of the topic, supports ideas with strong evidence, and communicates confidently. Visual aids enhance the presentation.

Good (3 points) – The presentation is clear and mostly well-organized. The student shows an understanding of the topic and provides evidence, though some areas could use more depth. Delivery is confident but lacks energy. Visual aids could be more creative or better integrated.

Fair (2 points) – The presentation is somewhat clear, but organization and evidence are inconsistent. The student demonstrates a basic understanding of the topic but needs more preparation and confidence. Visual aids are present but may lack relevance, quality, or proper integration into the presentation.

Needs Improvement (1 point) – The presentation lacks clarity, organization, and evidence. The student shows limited understanding of the topic and struggles with delivery. Visual aids, if used, are either irrelevant, poorly executed, or distract from the overall presentation.

This type of rubric is great if you want to provide a quick score but can be too vague if students are looking for more feedback.

The Analytic Rubric

If you prefer to evaluate specific aspects of a presentation, then choose the analytic rubric. This type of rubric breaks the presentation into categories, allowing you to assess different skills independently. Here’s an example.

Content and Organization (30 points)

25–30: The content is accurate, thorough, and well-organized, with clear main ideas and smooth transitions.

15–24: The content is mostly accurate and organized but lacks depth or smooth transitions.

5–14: The content is somewhat accurate but lacks depth, organization, or logical flow.

0–4: The content is inaccurate, disorganized, and lacks a clear focus.

Delivery (20 points)

17–20: The student speaks clearly, uses appropriate volume and tone, and engages the audience with confidence.

13–16: The student speaks clearly but may lack confidence or consistent audience engagement.

5–12: The student struggles with clarity, confidence, or audience engagement.

0–4: The delivery is unclear and disengaging.

Visual Aids (20 points)

17–20: Visual aids are creative, relevant, and enhance the presentation.

13–16: Visual aids are relevant but could be more engaging or polished.

5–12: Visual aids are present but lack relevance or quality.

0–4: No visual aids are used, or they detract from the presentation.

Time Management (15 points)

13–15: The presentation is within the time limit and well-paced.

10–12: The presentation is close to the time limit but may feel rushed or drawn out.

5–9: The presentation significantly exceeds or falls short of the time limit.

0–4: The presentation is poorly timed, making it difficult to follow.

Research and Evidence (15 points)

13–15: The presentation is thoroughly researched, with evidence that is accurate, relevant, and well-integrated. Sources are cited appropriately, and the evidence supports the main ideas effectively.

10–12: The presentation includes adequate research and evidence, but some details lack depth or connection to the topic. Sources are mostly relevant but may not be consistently cited.

5–9: The presentation includes minimal research or evidence, with some inaccuracies or weak connections to the topic. Few sources are cited, or the evidence lacks credibility.

0–4: The presentation lacks research or evidence, with little to no connection to the topic. No sources are cited, or the information presented is unreliable.

This type of rubric provides students with detailed feedback so they can see their strengths as well as their areas of improvement. However, it takes longer to complete, and students may find it overwhelming to look at.

Tailoring a Rubric

While rubrics provide a great starting point, they are not one-size-fits-all. Here are some tips on how to tailor them to your students.

Focus on the Key Skills You Want to Assess

Think about the skills you want your students to develop then emphasize that. For example, if students are working on a science project, then you may want them to develop skills in analysis, or for an English presentation, you may want them to develop their communication skills.

Adjust for Age and Ability

For younger students, make the rubric simpler by using emojis or icons instead of numbers. This approach helps younger learners understand feedback in a way that’s both clear and age-appropriate.

Utilize Technology

If you’re grading multiple presentations, consider using digital tools like Google Forms or apps like Quick Rubric to streamline the process.

Whether you prefer a holistic approach for big-picture feedback or an analytic rubric for detailed evaluation, these tools set your students up for success while making your grading process smoother.

Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

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What if students knew how to follow directions, use their critical thinking skills, and stay focused during work time? It would make everyone’s day run more smoothly, and students could truly focus on learning.

Self-control plays a vital role in every student’s success. Whether on the playground, in group work, or tackling independent tasks, having the ability to regulate their behavior is an essential skill.

Research from school psychologists highlights that teaching students to monitor their behavior fosters independence and helps them develop other self-regulation skills over time.

In this guide, you’ll learn what self-monitoring is, why it’s an effective classroom strategy, and how to use interactive modeling to teach students to assess and manage their behavior.

What Is Self-Monitoring?

Self-monitoring is a proactive strategy teachers use to help students develop self-management skills. It’s a versatile approach that can be adapted to increase positive behaviors or reduce undesirable ones.

At its core, self-monitoring involves teaching students to observe and record their behavior to determine whether it aligns with expectations. This strategy can address a wide range of needs, from helping students stay focused on tasks to boosting their motivation.

Why Is Self-Monitoring Effective?

Research shows that self-monitoring can significantly improve behavior and enhance academic performance.

It also fosters key skills such as confidence, independence, and responsibility in students. Also, it’s one of the most widely used self-management techniques in classrooms, thanks to its proven effectiveness and adaptability.

Why Do Students Need to Learn Self-Monitoring?

Self-monitoring encourages independence. It teaches students to recognize when their behavior is off track and to adjust it without the need for reminders from the teacher. It also helps to boost confidence.

When students learn how to self-monitor, they feel more in control of their actions and decisions. They begin to believe that they can handle these challenges, which is exactly what we want them to do. Lastly, it helps to improve their focus and makes them more productive. With so many distractions everywhere they look, self-monitoring helps students stay focused by giving them tools to check in with themselves.

Teaching the Interactive Modeling Strategy

The interactive modeling strategy is a highly effective way to teach children any skill or procedure you want them to learn with accuracy. Here’s how you can use this approach to help students regularly monitor their behavior.

Model How to Self-Check Behavior

Start by explaining to students that you will be modeling how to self-check behavior. Let them know this is important because some behaviors can disrupt their learning or that of their classmates.

Introduce the idea of a self-check by asking yourself the question, “Am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing right now?” Encourage students to observe closely as you model this process.

Model Expected Behavior

To help students understand, show them clear examples and non-examples of the target behavior. For instance:

• Sit on the floor, pretending to listen to a lesson.
• Then, look around the classroom or act distracted.
• Next, point to your head (as if thinking) and verbalize a self-check:

“Am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing right now? No, I’m not. I’m distracted. I need to sit quietly and focus on my teacher.” This demonstration helps students see how to identify off-task behavior and redirect themselves.

Discuss Observations

After modeling, start a discussion with the class. Ask students what they noticed during your demonstration:

• “What did you see me doing?”
• “How did I remind myself to self-check?”

Reinforce the idea that self-checking throughout the day can help them stay on track. Emphasize that using internal dialogue (talking to themselves in their head) is a powerful tool for staying focused.

Have Students Model Behavior

Invite a few student volunteers to model what self-checking looks like, just as you demonstrated. Encourage them to use their own examples, as long as they show how they self-monitor their behavior. Afterward, lead a group discussion about what the class observed:

• “What did Bobby do when he noticed his behavior wasn’t okay?”
• “How did he go from being distracted to doing the right thing?”

Remind students that talking to themselves and using self-checks throughout the day will help them gain greater self-control.

Challenge Students to Self-Monitor

Before your next lesson, challenge students to use the self-monitoring strategy. Afterward, ask if anyone tried it and how it worked for them.

Encourage volunteers to demonstrate what the strategy looks like when they’re sitting quietly and self-checking. Discuss how they noticed they were off-task and how they got themselves back on track. These examples will be especially helpful for students still learning to use the strategy effectively.

Teaching students to self-monitor their behavior reduces the need for constant intervention. With time and practice, students will be able to manage their behavior, leading to a significant increase in appropriate actions and a decrease in disruptions in the classroom.

Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

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Teaching students time management skills not only benefits your students but also you because it can make your job go that much smoother.

We will talk about why teaching time management is important. We will also look at practical ways to help your students learn managing time in the classroom.

Why Time Management Matters

Learning time management skills matters because it teaches students how to prioritize, plan, and make the most of every moment. For students, it means reduced stress, improved academic performance, and the ability to balance schoolwork with extracurricular activities.

For you, it means fewer late assignments, more focused learners, and a classroom that runs like a smooth-oiled machine. Helping students develop time management skills is like offering them the tools of structure and self-discipline; two things they’ll thank you for later in life.

Strategies for Teaching Time Management

With the right strategies, teaching time management skills can help your students develop habits that will serve them well in every aspect of their lives.

From prioritizing tasks to using tools that make scheduling easy, these approaches will set your students up for success while making your classroom more efficient and enjoyable! Here are a few strategies to try.

Create Visual Schedules

Visual schedules are a great time management tool for both young and older students. For younger students, they provide a clear structure and can help with transitions. For older students, they can aid in organizing complex tasks and help balance extracurricular activities as well as academic commitments.

Consider assigning colors to different activities, using pictures, or other visual cues like magnets or stickers to help students see what’s coming up. This will help students visualize and plan their week more effectively. It also adds a sense of ownership and accomplishment.

Utilize Technology

Technology can be a savior when it comes to teaching time management skills to students. First, because most students are tech-savvy, and second because it just makes everything a breeze.

If your school uses Google Classroom, then Google Calendar is wonderful for helping to organize tasks. Students can set reminders and block out time for study sessions. You can even create a shared class calendar with important dates to encourage collective responsibility.

Try Time Blocking

Time Blocking is a technique that can help students stay focused and avoid procrastination. Consider introducing the Pomodoro Technique, developed by Francesco Cirillo. This is where you break tasks into short intervals which can improve concentration and productivity.

For example, students would work on a task for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. This technique shows students how to keep tasks manageable as well as how to pace themselves without feeling burnt out. Try challenging students to see how much they can accomplish before the timer runs out.

Be a Role Model

As you know, students are always watching so why not set a good example by modeling your own good time management skills. Stick to your lesson plans, meet deadlines, and show up prepared.

When students see you valuing time, they’ll be more likely to follow suit. Consider sharing your own strategies like how you plan your week, your lessons, and how you break down larger tasks into smaller more manageable ones.

Teach Prioritization

Having the ability to distinguish between what needs immediate attention and what can wait is an important component of time management. Try teaching students Stephen Covey’s “Big Rocks” method. This is the concept of the “big rocks” (important tasks) and “pebbles” (less critical tasks).

To get students to fully understand this concept, students brainstorm a list of assignments and activities and ask them to identify their “big rocks” for one week. The more students practice, the more they will understand what’s most important, finishing a project due tomorrow or organizing their desks.

Practice Real-Life Time Challenges

A great way to bring time management to life is with role-playing activities. Create scenarios where students must prioritize tasks, such as planning a birthday party or preparing for a big test.

Have them map out a schedule, allocate time for each task, and discuss their choices with the class. This is a great strategy to give students practical experience in managing time effectively.

Encourage Reflection

At the end of each week, challenge students to reflect on what worked well and what did not regarding time management. On an index card, instruct students to take a few minutes to answer the following questions.

• What was the easiest task you had to complete?
• What was the hardest task you had to complete?
• Did you meet your deadlines?
• What’s one thing you’ll do differently next week?

Reflection is key to mastering time management. Encouraging students to think critically about their habits fosters a growth mindset and empowers them to take ownership of their learning.

Incorporating time management into your classroom doesn’t have to be complicated. By using visual schedules, teaching prioritization, using technology, modeling your strategies, and encouraging reflection, you can equip your students with skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

Students will gain confidence, develop resilience, and build a strong foundation for future success. And as they become more organized and self-reliant, you’ll find yourself with more time to focus on what you do best—teaching.

Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

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But imagine if you could teach your students about financial literacy at an early age and equip them with the knowledge and skills, they need to navigate the world confidently. The earlier you start, the better prepared they will be. Here, we’ll explore why financial literacy belongs in the classroom and give you tips on effectively implementing it into your teaching.

Why Students Should Learn Financial Literacy in School

Financial literacy belongs in the classroom because it equips students with the life skills to make informed financial decisions. It’s much more than just learning about dollars and cents; it’s about equipping students with real-world skills that will give them better spending habits and keep them out of debt.

When students grasp money management skills they make better financial decisions. Financial education in the classroom is relevant to every student whether they go on to college or enter the workforce. It’s directly applicable to their lives and sets them up for a successful future.

Classroom Activities for Financial Literacy

Integrating financial literacy into the classroom can be an engaging and beneficial way for students to practice skills they will use for their entire lives. By incorporating activities, you can make money management a relatable topic for students of all ages. Here are some effective classroom activities tailored for students of different ages.

For Younger Students

Play Money

Use play money to help students learn the basics of counting money. Consider creating a classroom store where students buy and sell items. This will teach students the value of different dominations and introduce them to addition, subtraction, and multiplication. Have students role-play the cashier and the customer to practice making change. This hands-on experience will help reinforce important math concepts.

Savings Jar

Using a tangible, visual aid such as a savings jar. Savings jars can be an effective tool to teach younger students how to save for the future. Consider having students set a class financial goal, such as a party, and use play money to help students save for it. Students “earn” money doing classroom chores or tasks and put a percentage of that money earned into the class savings jar. This visual representation of saving helps students think about prioritizing their earnings as well as budgeting.

Use Storybooks

Picture books can be a fun and engaging way to talk about money management. Stories such as “Curious George Saves His Pennies” by Margret & H.A. Rey and “The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble with Money” by Stan and Jan Berenstain are both great books that engage readers in conversations about decisions that characters make about money. After the story, talk about how the characters’ choices can relate to real-life financial decisions. The follow-up with a hands-on activity to reinforce what was learned.

For Older Students

Budgeting Assignments

Assigning projects about budgeting is a great way for older students to learn the basics of money management. For example, have students choose a potential career and research what their gross income is in that career. Then give them a list of expenses such as transportation, rent, food, savings, etc., and have them budget accordingly. Once they get the hang of it add more expenses like medical bills, car repairs, daycare, etc. This is a great exercise for students to learn to prioritize needs over wants and learn the impact of their financial choices.

Stock Market Game

Introduce students to investing by having them invest virtual money in real-time stocks on the Stock Market Game website. This is a fun way for students to experience the stock market without having to use real money. It also shows students how financial markets operate and teaches them the risks involved in trading stock. Additionally, it helps students develop critical thinking skills essential for making important decisions.

Invite Guest Speakers

Financial professionals can provide students with valuable insight into financial literacy. Whether it’s bankers, financial advisors, or personal finance professionals, these guest speakers can inspire students and show them the opportunities available to them. They can also motivate them to learn to save early and take control of their finances.

Integrating Technology into Financial Literacy Education

Using digital tools is a great way to reinforce financial concepts to students of all ages. Educational apps, such as “PiggyBot” for younger students and “Bankaroo” for older ones, use gamified learning to make financial literacy fun for students. Online courses like Khan Academy offer free personal finance education that can supplement your curriculum. These resources are a great way to practice real-world money management skills in a fun and interactive way.

Financial literacy has been long overlooked as an integral component in today’s curriculums. However, it’s important to note that financial literacy belongs in the classroom. By integrating it, we are equipping students with the skills needed to navigate through life. By understanding the basics of money management, they will be able to make informed financial decisions confidently.

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Outdoor Carnival

Create an unforgettable last of school by transforming your schoolyard into an outdoor carnival. This event can be just for your class, the entire grade, or even the whole school. Invite parent volunteers to help set up and run carnival games such as ring toss, dress-up like a clown relay race, dunk a teacher in a dunk tank, or any other fun games you can think of. If you have a schoolwide event, consider inviting food trucks, a local magician, or a DJ to make this an enjoyable event that students will remember for years to come.

Talent Show

What’s a better way to show your students diverse talents than a talent show? Encourage students to show off their unique gifts by allowing them to showcase their skills of singing, dancing, playing an instrument, performing magic tricks, stand-up comedy, gymnastics, cheerleading, or any other skill they would like to perform for an audience of their peers.

Not only is this a great way to boost student morale and create a sense of community, but it’s also a fun way to end the school year with a sense of belonging and school pride. Encourage any students who don’t want to perform to choose a different role such as decorating, being the MC, helping with technical support, or the lighting. This will ensure every student will contribute to the success of the show.

Advice from Graduates

A fun way to wrap up the school year is to have students write letters of advice to the new, incoming students who will be entering the classroom next school year. As a class, start a discussion to generate ideas on what kinds of topics new students would benefit from learning about. For example, subjects they’ll study, the daily schedule, or field trips they’ll go on.

Then have each student write a letter based on the topics you discussed, including any personal advice they would like to add. Following this, have students peer edit one another’s letters checking for any errors before they type up their final versions. Finally, either save the letters for next year, mail the letters to the new students, or distribute the letters during the next meet and greet event.

Classroom Yearbook

A classroom yearbook is a great end-of-year activity that adds a more personal touch than just the standard schoolwide yearbook. This project allows students to express their individuality and contribute to a book that is solely based on their classroom experiences rather than schoolwide experiences. For younger students assign each student one page to draw, write, or decorate anything they wish that is a memory for them of the school year.

Add their name and photograph and create colored copies of each page to attach to a book for each student. For older students, have them take on roles similar to a professional yearbook, such as editors, writers, photographers, etc. They can incorporate elements such as collages, QR codes, or quotes from classmates. On the last day of school, had out the compiled classroom yearbook for students to sign.

Positive Reflections

A heartwarming, last day of school activity is the positive words exercise. This activity involves students sharing kind words about one another. There are two ways you can do this activity. The first is to place a photograph of each student on a separate piece of paper.  Then, pass around each photo sheet and have students anonymously write one kind thing about the student around the image. Encourage students to not repeat what someone has already written. Compliments should only be positive comments such as, “thoughtful, kind, funny, generous, etc.”

Another variation of this activity is to have students use a form to write complimentary words for each classmate. After they fill out the forms, you can either compile all the comments into a personalized message for each student or have the students themselves assemble the comments for their peers. This allows each student to receive a collection of positive feedback while feeling a sense of belonging and community within the classroom.

Reflective Circle

A fun way to foster a sense of closure on the last of school is to try this reflective circle activity. This activity involves gathering students together in a circle to reflect upon the school year. Students take turns recounting their memories, sharing any challenges they’ve overcome, discussing new friendships they’ve made, and reflecting on any positive or negative experiences they’ve had during the school year.

Students can also take this time to set new goals or discuss their plans for the future. Sharing these thoughts can inspire others, give students a sense of belonging, and help to foster a more empathetic classroom environment.

These hands-on last-day-of-school activities offer an engaging and enjoyable way to ring out the school year. Moreover, they provide students with a way to celebrate, create, and share classroom memories and keepsakes that they will cherish for many years to come.

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