Classroom Transformations & "Fun" Activities [S5 E129]

Listen to the full episode below:

As a teacher, do you ever feel like you have to choose between fun and rigor? Early in our teaching careers, we definitely got sucked into the “edutainment” culture, where we felt like we needed to constantly be performing. We had to keep things fresh and fun.

We quickly learned that that led to two things - burnout and poor classroom management. Not to mention that centering all of your lessons around fun often meant sacrificing some crucial learning time. Depending on where you are in your career, you might have a mixed up, bizarre relationship with fun too.

So what’s the answer? Well, most importantly, “fun” does not have to go anywhere! We’ve discovered how you can have the best of both worlds by linking fun activities to what you’re learning about academically. 

We have split our fun strategies into three categories - classroom transformations, makerspace opportunities, and games. This is your permission slip to continue having fun, and your reminder that it’s possible to plan fun activities in your classroom that are wrapped up in your curriculum. It’s possible to find a balance! 

Be sure to tune in to our next BONUS episode, where we’ll answer your questions about including fun in the classroom.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

  • How we define a classroom transformation, and examples of how you can accomplish a thematic or functional transformation.

  • Several fun ways you can use a makerspace, even with limited materials.

  • Engaging review games to play: Pub-Style Trivia, Kahoot, the Flyswatter Game, The Spare Change Game Show, and Jenga.

  • Immersive role play activities that encourage students to interact with a text (and get a little nerdy!).

More about Brave New Teaching:

Join hosts Amanda Cardenas (Mud & Ink Teaching) and Marie Morris (The Caffeinated Classroom) in discussions about being brave, trying new things, and all things teaching! As seasoned classroom teachers, Amanda and Marie bring their experience, insight, energy, and oh, so many opinions and ideas... It's time for all teachers to take their classroom and teaching practice into their own hands!

Tune in on your favorite podcast apps like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Amanda Cardenasplanning, inspiration, advice, community, strategies