5 Simple Ways to Improve a Boring Lesson

5 Simple Ways to Improve a Boring Lesson The key to teaching any student is to get them to be actively engaged in the lesson. Textbooks and worksheets have been a staple in classrooms for decades, but they can be extremely boring. Not only are they boring to the students, but they are boring for the teachers as well. Technology has made teaching and learning more engaging, but sometimes that may not be enough either. Although its quite possible to have a paperless classroom that is filled with appealing technology, its not always possible to keep students actively engaged. Here are 5 teacher-tested tricks to help you improve a boring lesson and keep your students engaged. Give Student Choice When students are given a choice they feel like they have some kind of control over what they are learning. Try asking students what they want to read, or give them an option on how they want to go about learning a topic or completing a project. For example, lets say that students have to read a book for a lesson but its a boring book. Give them the option of watching the movie, or acting out the book as well. If you are conducting a lesson and you want students to complete a project about it, then give them a few options, it will make it more interesting if they decide how they will complete the task, versus having you tell them what to do. Add Music The benefits of music are amazing; increased test scores, higher IQ, improved language development, and thats just to name a few. If you find that your lesson is boring, add music to it. You can basically add music to anything if you really think about it. Lets say that you are in the middle of a multiplication lesson and you find that students are getting extremely restless, add some music. Have students clap, snap, or stomp as they are saying the times tables. Every time they count, 5, 10, 15, 20... they will add a sound. Music can help you get out of any boring lesson, and get students back on track. Use Food Who doesnt like food? Food is the perfect option to make your boring lesson, a little less boring. Heres how. We will take the same example from above. You are working on a multiplication lesson and students are doing their times tables. Instead of adding rhythm and music, you can add food. For example, lets say students are trying to figure out what 4 x 4 is. Give each student enough gummy bears, grapes, fish crackers, or whatever other food you want to use and have them use the food to figure out the answer. If they get the answer right, they get to eat the food. Everyones got to eat, so why not make this lesson during snack time? Use Reals There is no better way to keep students engaged then to relate the lesson to something that they already know. If you are teaching fifth graders a social studies lesson, then try having students create a song by changing the lyrics of a popular artist to correlate with what they are learning. Use technology, popular celebrities, video games, musicians, or whatever else that is currently relevant to children to keep them interested. If you are teaching students about Rosa Parks, then find a real-world example to compare her journey to. Use Objects By objects, we mean anything from a tiny manipulative like a coin, to a magazine or an everyday item like a paper towel roll or piece of fruit. Here are a few examples of how you can use objects to increase student engagement and make your lessons less boring.

Curry College - SAT Scores, Costs and Admissions Data

Curry College - SAT Scores, Costs and Admissions Data Curry College Admissions Overview: Curry College admits almost 89% of those who apply, making it accessible to the majority of applicants. Still, students generally need good grades and scores to be admitted. To apply, prospective students must submit an application, test scores from the SAT or ACT, a letter of recommendation, a writing sample, and high school transcripts. Will You Get In? Calculate Your Chances of Getting In  with this free tool from Cappex Admissions Data (2016): Curry College Acceptance Rate: 89%Test Scores 25th / 75th PercentileSAT Critical Reading: 420 / 520SAT Math: 420 / 520SAT Writing: -  / -What these SAT numbers meanACT Composite: 18 / 23ACT English: 17  / 24ACT Math: 17  / 22What these ACT numbers mean Curry College Description: Founded in 1879, Curry College is a private liberal arts college located on a 135-acre campus in Milton, Massachusetts. Boston is just seven miles away. Milton itself has around 25,000 residents, and, with its proximity to Boston, provides students with a small-town experience, with the bonus a large city nearby. Full-time Curry students come from 31 states and 7 countries, and the college also has a sizable number of continuing education students. Undergraduates can choose from 20 majors and over 65 minors and concentrations with professional fields being the most popular. In a partnership with Boston University, Curry also offers ROTC programs. Academics are supported by a 12 to 1  student / faculty ratio. Curry students keep busy by taking advantage of regular shuttles to Boston and participating in more than 35 student clubs and organizations. These clubs range from music ensembles, to social justice groups, to athletic organizations. On the athletic front, the Curry College Co lonels compete in the NCAA Division III The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) for most sports. The college fields 7 mens and 7 womens intercollegiate sports. Enrollment (2016): Total Enrollment: 2,926  (2,688 undergraduates)Gender Breakdown: 41% Male / 59% Female79% Full-time Costs (2016 - 17): Tuition and Fees: $37,835Books: $1,150  (why so much?)Room and Board: $14,310Other Expenses: $2,000Total Cost: $55,295 Curry College Financial Aid (2015- 16): Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 99%Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of AidGrants: 99%Loans: 80%Average Amount of AidGrants: $21,626Loans: $10,325 Academic Programs: Most Popular Majors:  Business Administration, Communication, Criminal Justice, Nursing, PsychologyWhat major is right for you?  Sign up to take the free My Careers and Majors Quiz at Cappex. Graduation and Retention Rates: First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 71%4-Year Graduation Rate: 40%6-Year Graduation Rate: 47% Intercollegiate Athletic Programs: Mens Sports:  Football, Ice Hockey, Tennis, Baseball, Lacrosse, Basketball, SoccerWomens Sports:  Basketball, Volleyball, Track and Field, Cross Country, Softball, Lacrosse, Soccer Data Source: National Center for Educational Statistics If You Like Curry College, You May Also Like These Schools: Endicott College: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphSimmons College: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of Rhode Island: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphBoston College: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphMerrimack College: Profile  Suffolk University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of Massachusetts - Amherst: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphRegis College: Profile  Framingham State University: Profile  Boston University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT Graph Curry and the Common Application Curry College uses the  Common Application. These articles can help guide you: Common Application essay tips and samplesShort answer tips and samplesSupplemental essay tips and samples