Student Choice and Teamwork

"Offering students choices about their learning is one of the most powerful ways teachers can boost student learning," (Anderson, 2020). Studies have shown that students are more engaged and learn more when they are motivated and are able to have some form of choice. 

In my classroom, we focus on the importance of teamwork and creating a safe learning environment where everyone's voice is heard. In order to incorporate student choice/voice, after winter break, second graders were formed into new teams to start the second half of the school year. In their teams, students were able to come up with their own team name, as well as three rules they will follow as a group. Each teammate had the opportunity to share their ideas for a team name individually before the group came to a consensus together. Also, the three rules that apply to each team were created by the students themselves, encouraging them to use their own voices amongst one another. 

I found that my students worked collaboratively and developed on their problem-solving skills by being able to voice their thoughts and ideas, as well as respecting their teammates'.