Giving Choices

Recently someone mentioned that I stress how important it is to give students choices and asked me for more examples of choices that I give my students. When I give the students choices, they seem more engaged and the amount of work that they complete is much higher. I do not usually give more than three choices because more than that can be overwhelming for the student. When they are overwhelmed, they tend to not do anything rather than making a choice.

General:

• Choose which order you want to do the assignments. All assignments need to be completed but you can choose which one you want to do next.
• Choose if you want to sit at your desk or in the reading corner or a private area with the desk.
• Choose if you want to listen to music while you work.

Writing:

• Choose one of three writing prompts.
• Look at one of three pictures and write a story about it.

Reading:

• Choose one of three books to read.
• Choose if you want to read alone or find a group to read with.
• Read to yourself or record yourself reading.

Math:

• Choose one of three assignments (all on the same skill) to complete.
• Choose one of three projects to complete using math skills.

Social Studies or Science:

• Choose a topic that we have studied so far and do more research on it. Present it to the class by making a brochure, poster, commercial, or movie trailer.

What other choices would you give students? Please share.

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