Ep 66 // Ditch the Textbook: 4 Super Engaging Alternatives to Teaching From a Textbook
Inside This Week’s Episode: Outdated or boring textbooks got you down? Ditch the traditional textbook and tune in to this week’s episode to learn about 4 alternatives to traditional textbook teaching in the elementary classroom that will boost student engagement AND learning!
This ain’t your grandma’s classroom.
Years ago the textbook was all we had. Textbooks…and workbooks that went along with the textbook. Ew.
But, we’ve come a loooong way since those days and it’s time to implement some 21st century teaching practices.
So, what does that mean?
It means we ditch the textbook. Now, don’t get me wrong, we can still use textbooks as a tool for teaching. It may guide us in the content that we need to teach, and may serve a purpose (a very small purpose) in the elementary classroom - but think of it as the starting point to get you where you want to go.
And where we want to go is a classroom full of engaged, motivated kiddos who are interacting with you and one another. And let’s be honest, textbooks don’t exactly evoke engaging conversation.
So allow me to give you 4 alternatives to teaching from the textbook. In this week’s podcast I’ve got the solutions to your textbook woes (as well as some resources to make implementing these strategies a whole lot easier!)
Get ready to Say “Adios” to Textbooks!
Here’s a Snapshot:
[4:00] A gallery walk is a fabulous way to present new information to your students that allows them to move around and interact with objects, pictures, and each other while learning new content. I’ll talk about the best times to use gallery walks with your students how to set one up in your classroom. I’ve also got a hot tip for how to engage your students in a reverse gallery walk that sets the stage for even more student learning!
[9:14] Ditch the boring textbook and replace it with reader’s theater! This is a much more interactive way for students to learn new content. And - I promise - reader’s theater can work for nearly ANY topic - trust me. I’ll share some surprising topics that I used a reader’s theater script with!
[12:05] Transform run-of-the-mill textbook information into a discovery learning folder (read: file folder with flare!) I’ll share what goes into a discovery learning folder and how to create them yourself! I’ll also share where you can get some ready-made discovery learning folder to use right away in the classroom!
[18:18] LINKtivity® are the easiest and quickest way to spark huge engagement with your students - and blow textbook learning out of the water! With one simple link you’re students will be learning new content through video, images, text, audio, graphics, and a whole lot more. I’ll dive into what they are and how to get your hands on them!
Links & Resources Mentioned in the Episode
POST: Five Reasons Why You Should Use Reader’s Theater in the Upper Elementary Classroom
RESOURCES: Discovery Learning Folders
POST: Engaging Your Students With LINKtivity Interactive Learning Guides
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