Given recent events, it’s now more important than ever to increase student engagement. The move to online classes is a colossal change, and it’s not surprising that many students are finding it hard to cope. One way you can help is by making the school more interactive and fun. Here are some of the things that you can try out.
Do Discussions
Start by having student-centered activities. This usually means discussions. Pick topics that you can relate both to your lesson plan and to the current situation. This will give the students an opportunity to talk about their feelings. Everyone is anxious these days, even kids. Talking about how they feel is one way for you to touch base with every kid in your class. Doing so can give you an idea of how well each child is handling the situation and where they are emotional. Are they alright?
Encourage Expression
Let kids say what’s on their mind, or what’s in their heart. How do they feel about what’s happening all around the world? How are they taking in these changes? How have their lives changed as they live through the pandemic? Talking about these things can help your students process and work through their emotions in ways that can positively impact their mental and emotional health. Keeping things in for the long run isn’t ideal. By getting them to air out their feelings, you help keep your students mentally strong and healthy.
Urge the Kids to Help
One way for people to feel good during the pandemic is to help each other. Create a learning environment where the kids are encouraged and empowered to help each other. Whether it’s standing up to bullies or resolving conflicts between other kids, or just generally spreading a positive attitude in class, encouraging kids to take more active participation in making the school a better place for everyone is a must. That’s one of the measures you can expect from the best international schools in Abu Dhabi.
Keep Notes
No matter if you remember the names of each of your students, it’s likely that you’ll forget some of the details you have on them. Make it easier on yourself to remember that information by keeping organized notes about your students. That will make it easier for you to pinpoint which students need extra attention or even sessions. Highlight problematic behaviors. Note down interactions you’ve had with them—both positive and negative. Then strive to increase the number of positive interactions.
Tutor the Students
Be sensitive to the needs of your students at this time. Find a way to help each of the kids in your class. Reach out and offer tutorial classes if need be. This will mean added work for you, but the results can be completely rewarding, and you’ll see the results in the long run. Your students will cope better, they’ll be more engaged and invested in the lessons, and your classes will be more fun. With a little time spent on tutoring, you could see amazing results with each child under your care.
Just Talk to Them
Pay extra attention to any students you have that don’t seem to have many friends, that don’t interact well in class, or that might be bullied or lonely. Reach out to them. Talk to them and make them feel that they can talk to you at any time. This will make them less lonely, and the interactions might also encourage other kids to become their friends. That’s a good start.
Welcome Talks
Create the kind of online learning environment wherein your students feel comfortable enough to talk to you about anything that’s bothering them. Are there any issues with other students? Or with the school? The issue might turn out to be something you’ll need to report to the administration. Having the kind of environment that makes this possible, that makes students trust you enough to go to you when problems arise is exactly the kind of atmosphere you’ll want to create and build. That’s something that talking to the kids in your class can bring about.
Use the Arts
Inspire your students with art. There’s no shortage of the beauty around us, or in museums, in literature. Gather the right materials, pick the ones that you think will inspire your students, one that will help let loose their creativity. They can use that creativity to process their feelings about the current events happening. Art opens up emotions; it opens up people’s hearts. The right line, book, or image might help open the floodgates for your students. It might help them talk about what’s happening and, in the process, get them closer to coping better.
