Choice boards are a fantastic way to cater to diverse learning styles and interests in the classroom. They allow students to have a say in their learning, promoting autonomy and engagement. Here are three practical examples of choice boards that can enhance student involvement in any subject area.
This choice board is designed for a literature unit where students are exploring different genres. It provides options for responding to a reading assignment, allowing students to choose how they want to express their understanding.
| Choice | Description |
|---|---|
| Create a Comic Strip | Illustrate a scene from the book and add dialogue. |
| Write a Letter | Write a letter to one of the characters in the story. |
| Design a Book Cover | Create a new cover design that represents the main themes. |
| Write a Poem | Compose a poem inspired by the book’s themes or characters. |
| Host a Book Talk | Prepare a short presentation to share with the class about your book. |
Encourage students to share their creations with the class. This could be done through a gallery walk or presentations. Additionally, consider varying the number of choices based on student readiness—more advanced students might have more options to choose from.
In a science class, students are learning about ecosystems. This choice board allows them to select how they will conduct their investigation and demonstrate their understanding of the topic.
| Choice | Description |
|---|---|
| Design an Experiment | Create and conduct an experiment related to ecosystems. |
| Create a Video | Film a short video explaining a specific ecosystem and its components. |
| Make a Diorama | Build a 3D model representing an ecosystem of choice. |
| Conduct a Survey | Survey classmates about their favorite ecosystems and analyze the data. |
| Write a Research Paper | Research a specific ecosystem and write a detailed report. |
This board can be adapted for different ecosystems by providing specific guidelines for each choice. Students could also work in pairs or small groups for collaborative projects, fostering teamwork and communication skills.
For a math class focusing on geometry, this choice board helps students practice their skills in a variety of ways, catering to different learning preferences.
| Choice | Description |
|---|---|
| Create a Geometry Game | Develop a board game that involves solving geometry problems. |
| Design a Shape Poster | Create a poster that explains different geometric shapes and their properties. |
| Solve Real-World Problems | Find and solve math problems in everyday life that involve geometry. |
| Teach a Peer | Prepare a mini-lesson to teach geometry concepts to a classmate. |
| Complete Online Challenges | Use educational math websites to complete geometry challenges. |
Incorporate technology by allowing students to use tablets or computers for the online challenges. You can also rotate the choice board every couple of weeks to keep engagement high and introduce new concepts as the curriculum progresses.