As teachers, where would we be without our acronyms !? We utilize acronyms to follow frameworks, to recall mentor tools, and to abide by procedures and processes. We have actually created this shiny new “G.E.M.S.” acronym to remind us of four ways to start classroom lessons: Games, Engage, Move, Shift. Find out more about all four of the GEMS listed below:

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Technique 1: Games.
” Learning is not all fun and games,” is a phrase you can cross off your list! Research tells us trainees grow in competitive settings, and for those hesitant to compete with others, there are plenty of video games for gamers to compete against themselves. Whether the video games are digital, like those noted here or tried-and-true like Monopoly, Risk, Uno, Cribbage, and Backgammon, introducing gaming and game-based finding out to trainees will bring enjoyment and teamwork to your classroom. Let the games begin!.
Resources:.
How Digital Game-Based Learning Improves Student Success from Prodigy.
One Of The Most Engaging Games for the Classroom from Common Sense Media.
Benefit Tip: The Olympic Games began earlier this month! Take a look at “Ways to Use the Olympics in the Classroom,” from Teaching Ideas.
Courses:

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Technique 2: ENGAGE.
We were engaged, entertained, and curious about what would occur next! When beginning any lesson, we aim to engage trainees with our material and hope they will pay attention.
Resources: To review your storytelling talent, tune into The Moth Radio Hour and take pleasure in listening to stories from those welcomed on phase to inform theirs..
Coming quickly from The Moth this book, “How to Tell a Story.”.
Reward Tip: The Moth consists of an Educators Resources page!.
Intrigued in finding out more about storytelling?
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Blended Learning Course 5210: Using Storytelling to Learn and teach is open for registration on March 16th, mark your calendars!
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Below is the course description:.
Once upon a time, there was an instructor who informed so lots of engaging and inspirational stories, every trainee desired to be in the class! Explore how digital applications and storytelling methods can be used to engage students, connect material, and enhance learning.

Method 2: MOVE.
Moving our bodies surges feel-good endorphin, serotonin, and oxytocin hormones into our blood streams. It supplies a way for us to purge negativity, enhances the health of our joints, and strengthens our bones, hearts, and muscles. Simply 10 minutes of movement a day can even assist us live longer!
Resources:.
” How to Make Movement a Part of Your Classroom Culture” from the National Education Association (NEA).
” 10 Minutes a Day May Help Those Over 40 Live Longer” from Prevention.
” To Boost Learning, Just Add Movement” from The Cult of Pedagogy.
Courses:

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Method 3: SHIFT.
The addition of range finding out to deliver instruction has actually put a spotlight on the requirement of wait time. When asking concerns or asking for feedback from trainees, 15-30 seconds can look like forever. Yet, best instructional practices tell us, when beginning a lesson with the expectation of reactions, we need to wait to enable trainees to organize their thoughts and develop their responses. To advise us to wait, we can move our mindset, and change the name from “wait time” to “believe time.” When beginning a lesson, we can move our approach from “waiting on trainees to react,” to enabling time for thinking. What other instructional strategies could use a shift?.
Resources:.
” The Importance of Wait Time” from thoughtco.com.
” High Quality Resources for Inquiry-Based Teaching” fromChildren sLibraryLady.com.
” 8 Exceptional Inquiry-Based Learning Activities Students Will Love” from futurefocusedlearning.net.
Courses:

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Utilize the acronym, “GEMS” as a suggestion to infuse curriculum with gamification and game-based learning techniques. Engage trainees through acoustic and digital storytelling.

Whether the video games are digital, like those noted here or reliable like Monopoly, Risk, Uno, Cribbage, and Backgammon, introducing gaming and game-based discovering to students will bring excitement and teamwork to your classroom. When beginning any lesson, we aim to engage trainees with our material and hope they will pay attention. Check out how digital applications and storytelling techniques can be used to engage students, connect material, and improve knowing. Best training practices inform us, when beginning a lesson with the expectation of reactions, we must wait to permit students to arrange their ideas and formulate their answers. Engage students through digital and acoustic storytelling.