Summer is filled with fresh air, road trips, and time with family and friends. All of which can make it difficult for students to focus and participate when they return to the classroom. However, while there are many different strategies to engage students, the following strategies are practical and they allow students to redirect their attention in positive, enriching ways and give teachers the opportunity to use break activities to their advantage.

Re-establish Routines
Students thrive when there is a set schedule. It helps them manage their expectations and boundaries between free and work time. Help your students by establishing a routine. It will familiarize them with your expectations and the schedule for the day or even week.

Share Stories
Your students’ summer adventures will still be on their minds during the first few weeks of class. Give them the opportunity to write or share a story from their summer. Opportunities like this foster connections between classmates as well as between students and teachers.

Attendance Inquiries
Make taking attendance a fun way to discover more about your students. Ask them a different question each day while you take attendance. Simple questions can be best suited for busy days, while creative questions are good for classroom discussion and critical thinking.

Change Your Location
Weather and school permitting, move your lesson to a different location. A change of scenery may be all the students need to start engaging with you and their schoolwork. Changing location also gives students the opportunity to participate in active learning.

Scavenger Hunt
Send your students on a scavenger hunt for people. Who traveled more than 50 miles away on break? Who read the syllabus before the first day of class? Students can practice interviewing skills and learn more about their classmates.

Practical Examples
The best way to keep your students’ attention is to use topics that are interesting and relevant to them. On the first day of class, have students write down three things that interest them and find ways to incorporate them into your lessons. One of the most valuable approaches you can take is to show students how they can use what they’re learning outside the classroom.

As your students re-engage with learning, isn’t it time to expand your skills and deepen your knowledge? Central Michigan University has a wide variety of master’s programs for educators taught online and designed for working teachers. Whether you want to expand your skills, learn new techniques or move into administration, CMU has a master’s program for you.

This sponsored content was provided by Central Michigan University.