I’m done, what do I do now?

That’s probably my least favorite class question (and as a slower learner, it was always a reminder that I needed to work faster). Matt Miller has the perfect response- a choice board with 40 options for your students.  His blog post is here.

Another look at Choice Boards

In advance of her free webinar with OTIS (3 pm on 3/21), Alice Keeler shared this post on Choice Boards. I don’t think I always offer enough choice for my students and lately I’ve been doing more.  From a student engagement viewpoint, it does pay dividends.

Explore Board (Outside example and more)

While Choice Board might be a familiar term, Explore Board was new to me.  Holly Clark (Infused Classroom) recently shared (both in her newsletter and on her blog here), the difference between the two as well as a few templates (one for the Outsiders). Here is how she explains the difference:A choice board is used to give students choice in how they respond to a prompt or project. It is used for giving students a choice in how they show learning. It's an "outro" activity.An Explore board, on the other hand. is an "intro" activity - meant to help get students the background knowledge they need that will help them understand concepts and ideas better. It can also be used as a resource as they progress in the learning unit.

So why they may look similar, the activities and purposes are slightly different.

Too much of a good thing

Sometimes too much choice can be overwhelming (I think of my recent experience in trying to decide on flooring for my laundry room!).  The same can be said for choice boards- students can have trouble making selections.  Matt Miller  (Ditch that Textbook) has a brilliant idea- make it progressive and build choices as you complete different classroom assignments.  Please see his blog post here.

If you are interested in choice boards…

TeachersFirst is sharing their archived (aka recorded) session on choice boards and differentiation.  It is reviewed here.  You will need to register.  You will get an email link to watch the session.  TeachersFirst does not provide certificates for recorded sessions. I have attended several of their live sessions (and recently completed an online book club).  Their sessions are high quality and provide hands-on practice.

Taking choice boards to a new level!

Student engagement in this time of hybrid/virtual instruction can be challenging.  So what if you could make it more like a game (with new levels and XP) and add some choice?  Alice Keeler has the answer- her badge game template will allow you to add activities (to an assignment), allow student choice (yet there is ample space for directions), and then make a copy for the students!

Start by watching her video and then make a copy of the template. Add your activities and points and then create a student copy.  You are then ready to assign it in Google or OnCourse classroom (make a copy for each student). Everything you need is here.

Choice Boards

In a recent Matt Miller post, he shared this article on choice boards from Michele Haiken. She compares them to the Pelton business model and philosophy.  Her examples are interesting and diverse.  Please see her post here.

Interactive Choice Board (Google Slides)

We have always known student choice is important- here is an easy way to offer

your students some learning choices!  In this blog post from Kasey Bell (Shake Up

Learning), she shares a Google Slides Tic Tac Toe template.  Just complete the

slides with the choices for your students and then play!

If you have questions or if you have never used a template before- just let

me know- I would be glad to help. Maybe we can do some drop-ins?

Choice Boards for you?

Several years ago, during my introduction to hyperdocs, I learned

about choice boards.  I’ve bet you’ve seen them- think about tic-tac-toe

or bingo type board filled with a variety of assignments.   You might know

them as menus completed with differentiated learning opportunities.

Kasey Bell has a free ebook that will take you through the process.  
Please click here to access the material.

What’s in a choice?

Heard the term choice boards but not sure what they are or how to use them?  Here’s a blog post from Better Lesson  that will walk you through the process.