20 Things You Can Do Today to Be a More Effective Teacher

Sometimes, effective teaching is hard work and takes a lot of time and preparation. On the other hand, there are simple things you can do, often in five minutes or less that will increase your effectiveness, make teaching easier or enhance the environment of your classroom or school.

Here, in no particular order, are twenty things you can do to be a more effective teacher:

1. Have students write the best thing they have learned in class so far on an index card. Read some out loud and then post them on a bulletin board.

2. Sharpen all the pencils in your pencil cup. Throw away the dead pens.

3. Write a thank you note to someone who often helps you.

4. Tell a student you appreciate them.

5. Do something silly- wear a funny hat, or include a funny cartoon on a test.

6. Make a positive phone call to a parent.

7. Organize the top of your file cabinet, or one messy shelf.

8. Put a new plant in your classroom.

9. Invite students to bring their lunch and join you in your room just to share a fun article, book or video.

10. Rearrange student desks.

11. Start the day by writing your “why” on the board. This could be an objective, or outcome. Explain the purpose of the lesson or how it will help students.

12. Secretly do something nice for another teacher. Leave a little gift on their desk or bring them a coffee.

13. Play a song by a popular artist and find a way to connect it to your lesson.

14. Invite a guest reader or content expert in to your class.

15. Thank students, as a group, for excellence such as staying engaged and working hard on a task, doing well on an assignment or test, or treating each other well.

16. Engage students in different levels of questioning by applying the 1, 2, 3 rule. Ask one low level, recall question. Ask one question where students must apply the information. Ask one question where students must analyze or synthesize information.

17. Throw a koosh ball to call on students during a discussion.

18. Have students get into small groups and write a rap with words that reviews a lesson or unit.

19. Set a timer for five minutes. Have everyone clean and organize something in the classroom. Or, set a timer for five minutes. Clean off the top of your desk, or a junk drawer.

20. Play a quick game of 20 Questions. Use a word or subject from your content and let students ask yes or no questions. Keep a tally on the board. Let the winner pick a new word.

There are our 20 quick activities you can do to be a more effective teacher, make teaching easier or enhance the environment of your classroom or school.

What would you add to our list? We would love to hear your ideas!

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