STRENGTHENING STUDENT

ENGAGEMENT

John Thomas, Jr.: CTE Director/Assistant Principal CHHSBetty Ware: CTE Supervisor Hopewell Public Schools

What is Your Idea of Student Engagement vs. The Students

Engagement-Based Learning and Teaching Approach - EBLT

Three domains of student engagement: Cognitive Domain

consists of beliefs and values Emotional Domain

Consists of motivation and feelings Behavioral Domain

Consists of habits and skills

With this approach, teachers and parents work together across all three domains to cultivate and support student engagement at the highest level.

The Key Elements of How to Implement EBLT

Cultivate one-on-one relationships Learn new skills and habits Incorporate systematic strategies Take responsibility for student

engagement practice Promote a school-wide culture and

engagement Professional development as an

important part of increased student engagement

Pre-Classroom Conditions

Factors that must be in place before classroom instruction begins: Learning relationships Creating the Ideal classroom environment Rewards and incentives Guiding principles Fundamental skills Habits

How Can Teachers Create an Environment where Rigorous and

Relevant Learning Takes Place Create a design for rigorous and relevant

learning Personalize learning Use active learning strategies Focus on reading

Learning Relationships Taxonomy Strong positive relationships are critical to the

education process. Think about that one teacher you will never forget

and how they impacted your learning experience.

Classroom Management vs. Learning-Based Relationships

The teacher’s responsibility for teaching and learning in the classroom often is divided into instruction and classroom management.

How to Improve Relationships Relationships in school always can be improved.

Schools can engage in specific practices to improve the quality of those relationships that influence student learning and operation of a school. Supportive behaviors are ways in which teachers

act and interact with students to support learning and good relationships.

Supportive Initiatives are social initiatives that contribute to learning and good relationships.

Supportive structure constitute major organizational changes that contribute to learning and good relationships.

Adult & Peer Behaviors Greatly Influence Learning Relationships

Showing respect “Being there” for students and frequent

contact Active listening One-on-one communication Encouraging students to express opinions Avoiding “put-downs” Writing encouraging notes Students praising peers Celebrating accomplishments

Supportive Initiatives Influence Relationships

Social activities to start the year Team building Mentoring Rewards, recognition, incentives Student advocacy Advisory programs Peer mediation Students as teachers Character education

What Can the School Do? Schools can also implement major

changes to their structures that can make it easier to develop positive learning relationships, such as: Small learning communities Alternative scheduling Team teaching Team continuity School-base enterprises Professional learning communities

References