How to Jump-Start a Stale, Boring Classroom

This time of year it isn’t uncommon for students to become particularly uninspired.

It’s the same-old/same-old syndrome.

Every day feels like the one before and motivation ratchets downward. Some simple things you can do to help reverse the trend include:

• changing up your seating arrangement.
• taking lessons outside (weather permitting).
• mixing in more learning games.
• talking less and getting students doing more.
• introducing a new group project.
• telling stories as part of your instruction.
• raising expectations another notch.
• bringing more urgency, humor, and intensity to your lessons.

In other words, any change or novelty can be helpful. This is also smart to do throughout the year to stave off boredom.

However, there is one thing you can do that is especially effective in reversing the trend. It’s something all great teachers do.

I call it detailed modeling.

The first step is to model more frequently. The truth is, few teachers model enough. Most come nowhere near the amount needed to significantly improve student performance.

Effective modeling is an art with its own strategies and techniques. Done well, it’s a game-changer and the path to staggering student achievement.

It’s also interesting to students. It causes them to visualize themselves successfully doing whatever you’re showing them, especially when you allow them to model as well.

Modeling more often will wake your class up and draw them into learning.

However, what really pulls them in is to add exacting and explicit detail. Very few teachers do this, but it’s remarkably effective.

For example, before starting group work you would actually sit at a student’s desk, listen for the “go” signal, collect needed materials, push in your chair, greet your group members, and then begin the work.

Within each of theses movements you would be even more detailed, acting out your facial expressions and explaining your thinking process. You’re essentially providing a mental-visual map to success.

This doesn’t mean militaristic. Your class can appear as relaxed as you choose, but underneath it’s well choreographed.

Detailed modeling also . . .

• improves behavior.
• fills students with purpose.
• provides a tangible way to raise expectations.
• lays out a constant succession of goals to fulfill.
• makes school enjoyable.
• increases focus.
• removes every question regarding what is expected.
• skyrockets independence.

Most importantly, especially for this time of year, it’s a powerful antidote to boredom. Of course, you don’t have to model already proven and well-performed routines.

Anything new, however, will be done better and with more urgency and motivation after it’s modeled in minute detail.

You can have fun with detailed modeling, of course. You can add steps, and even nonsensical steps, to make it more engaging and memorable for students. You can add drama, challenge, whimsy, humor, and much more.

—Which we’ll be sure to cover in future articles.

PS – My new book Unstressed: How to Teach Without Worry, Fear, and Anxiety will be available on March 10th.

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