Choice boards are a staple in my classroom. I’ve explained why and how to use them and even how to easily create your own, but what if you’re just getting started, and you aren’t sure how to begin?
Trying something new in your classroom can be daunting, but I’m here to help you answer this question:
How do I get started with choice boards?
When your students see a choice board for the first time, they will likely be overwhelmed by the unfamiliar layout and amount of print. Combat this by explaining how much you love choice boards – remember that your excitement is contagious! Explain that choice boards allow the students to choose how they learn and how to show what they learn. It’s intended for students to choose tasks that interest them in order to deepen their understandings.
In order for students to be successful, you’ll need to set expectations. The higher your expectations are, the more your students will achieve!
At the beginning of the year, I discuss and display exemplars to show students the quality of work that I expected from them.
Click here to view and use my exemplars.
After the first few choice boards, students are pros and will likely not need exemplars anymore in order to create quality work.
One problem I’ve had in the past is students rushing through tasks to try and get them all done. We had to have a class meeting to discuss that getting all 9 things done is not the goal. Creating something to enrich your knowledge and to demonstrate your understanding of the content is the goal! We just need to change their mindset.
How do I grade choice boards?
That’s easy – I just don’t!
It’s completely up to you, but in my classroom, choice boards are used for remediation and enrichment. It’s something students work on after they finish class assignments.
You could definitely grade a few products, most easily the tasks that tie in to reading or writing, but you’d have to create a rubric. That’s not for me at this time, but it’s definitely a possibility!
What do I do with the products?
I have my students hang on to their choice board and their products in a folder throughout an entire unit. To wrap up a unit, I have a “presentation day” (usually right before or right after the test). Students love to present their work to the class! They are so proud to show off their hard work, and they get to work on those speaking/listening skills.
The products make a great and super easy hallway display! Students can hang up their work as they finish something they are truly proud of. Your hallway display will be cohesive yet differentiated – win win!
When the unit is all wrapped up, students take their work home to make room in their folders for a new board. I’ve found choice boards to be extremely successful and rewarding in my classroom, and I hope they work for you, too!
Did you know?
I have more than 50 choice boards in my TPT store, available bundled or individually! Find one that will work for you right here.
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