7 Hooks to Increase Classroom Engagement
You want it. I know you do. It’s increased student engagement. So, how do you get your students to become more excited about the lessons in which you are teaching them? In this comprehensive guide to increasing student engagement, we’re going to explore how you can create hooks that will captivate your students’ attention and make you into a motivational guru.
We all know that getting students engaged and excited about learning can be a bit of a challenge. The distractions of the digital age, short attention spans, and the constant bombardment of information can make it tough to keep students focused. But fear not, because we have a secret weapon – the art of the “hook.” A well-crafted hook can grab your students’ attention, spark their curiosity, and set the stage for a successful learning experience.
Set the Scene with Some Music
I often think about Sebastian in The Little Mermaid when he said, “First, we got create the mood”. Music creates a mood. It can be a happy mood, a sensual mood, or a dark and stormy mood. So, use music to help bridge the gap between lessons. Choose music that will go with the mood you are trying to create with your lesson. And, this isn’t just confined to a music class or an English lesson. You can even use music to get your students ready for a math or history challenge. (I’m partial to the tune from Jeopardy.)
Show a Quick Video Clip
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what about movie trailers or clips? Video clips can be a game-changer when it comes to getting your students primed for a lesson. Be sure to choose a video clip that goes with your lesson. Video clips can take your lessons to the next level. They can create a multisensory experience that appeals to both visual and auditory learners. Again, make sure to select videos that are relevant, concise, and thought-provoking.
When I do this, I try to find a movie or short film that is related to my topic and show it to my class. If I can’t find a movie clip to go with what you are about to teach, create your own. With Reels, Tik Toks, and YouTube shorts, it’s easier than ever to whip out your phone and record a short video. And, if you don’t want to film yourself, you can always use apps like Canva and Capcut to create your own video for your class.
Start with a Shocking/Interesting Fact
Drop a bombshell on your students. Tell them something shocking or share an intriguing fact that relates to your lesson. This is the ultimate attention-grabber. This is also one of my favorite ways to grab the attention of my middle school students. This will often have them grabbing their phones or other electronic devices to go “google”/research the fact that you just shared with them.
Shocking facts awaken the natural curiosity within us all. They ignite the desire to know more, to delve deeper into the subject at hand. So, whether it’s an astonishing statistic, a shocking discovery, or a quirky piece of trivia, don’t be afraid to kick off your lesson with some fun and shocking facts.
Ask a Qualifying Question
Questions are powerful tools for engagement, and the right question at the right time can be a game-changer in your classroom. Consider starting your lesson with a qualifying question – one that makes students stop and think, one that challenges their preconceived notions.
Qualifying questions provide a sense of purpose for the lesson. They send a clear message that learning isn’t about passive absorbing information but about active inquiry and discovery.
Activate Prior Knowledge
One of the most effective ways to engage your students is by tapping into what they already know. After all, learning is not about starting from scratch but building on existing knowledge. Hence those fun and overused “K-W-L” charts.
Sample K-W-L Chart below:
K-W-L Chart on Cave Shrimp
| What We Know (K) | What We Want to Know (W) | What We Have Learned (L) |
| 1. Cave shrimp live in underground caves. | 1. Specific adaptations for survival in darkness. | 1. Adaptations for life in caves, such as sensory organs. |
| 2. They are small in size. | 2. How they obtain food without sunlight. | 2. Primary diet: detritus and bacteria in cave environs. |
| 3. Adapted for dark, subterranean habitats. | 3. Different species and their characteristics. | 3. Multiple cave shrimp species, each adapted to caves. |
| 4. Often translucent or pale in color. | 4. Cave shrimp lifecycle and reproduction. | 4. Reproduce via internal fertilization, young hatch. |
| 5. Found in limestone caves. | 5. Impact of environmental changes on populations. | 5. Vulnerable to habitat disturbances. |
| 6. Part of cave ecosystems. | 6. Conservation efforts and their status. | 6. Some species threatened; conservation includes habitat protection. |
Building on prior knowledge not only boosts confidence but also helps students see the relevance of the new information. So, before you dive into a new lesson, take a moment to activate your students’ prior knowledge.
Here are some simple ways to activate your students’ prior knowledge:
☑️Relate the topic to real-life experiences
☑️Use brainstorming
☑️Use mind mapping
☑️Have them make predictions
☑️Ask open-ended questions
☑️Use Interactive activities
☑️Videos & PowerPoints
State the Problem
Tell your students from the beginning what the problem is.
Before delving into the details of the problem, make it clear why it’s important. Connect it to real-life situations or current events, if possible. For example, if you’re teaching a math lesson on fractions, you might begin by saying, “Have you ever wondered how bakers ensure that they have the perfect ratio of ingredients in their recipes?” By framing the lesson in this way, you’ve instantly piqued your students’ interest. They now have a reason to care about fractions because they understand the cooking requires measurements and some of those measurements are fractions.
Use Anticipatory Guides
Anticipatory guides are set the stage for learning. And, they are also some of my favorite activities to use prior to beginning a new lesson. They help students make predictions about what they are about to learn.
To create an anticipatory guide, you will want to generate a list of statements related to the lesson content. Some of these statements should be true, while others should be false or partially true.
Before you jump into a new lesson, be sure to set the stage. Capture your students’ attention using music, sharing shocking facts, designing anticipatory guides, and activating your students’ prior knowledge. Make sure your attention-grabbing hook connects to the lesson content, and you increase your student engagement.
Happy Teaching!!!
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Other Articles to Read:
9 Fascinating Lesson Hook Ideas to Engage Your Students
https://www.teachstarter.com/au/blog/lesson-hooks-ideas-to-maximize-learning/