We all know giving students a choice in how they demonstrate their knowledge is key, but how exactly do you do that? With choice boards! Choice boards are a great way to increase engagement, encourage independence, and allow autonomy in your classroom. I’ve been using science choice boards with my students for several years now, and I’ve learned a few things that have improved the experience for me and my students.
Here are some reasons why I am a total fan of choice boards in my science classroom:
#1 Choice Boards Help To Build And Maintain Relationships With Students
Because choice boards allow students to pick how they demonstrate their knowledge, you can learn a lot about the kids in your room! As students are working, I’m able to listen in on conversations with their peers and observe skills they might be struggling with. It’s also fun when you find out that you’ve had a secret artist in your class or that someone is highly skilled in an area they’ve never mentioned before.
I can then use this new information about students to engage with them and show them that I am interested in who they are outside of the classroom.
#2 Science Choice Boards Made Me Evaluate My Grading And Assessment Strategy
Traditional assessments can be limiting for a lot of students. Not every student is able to show what they know through multiple-choice or written response assignments. Also, many students suffer from test anxiety, which can impact their scores.
On the other hand, science choice boards are more relaxed and creative, and they allow for more open-ended assessments. When I’m grading, I make sure to look at the whole picture, not just the final product. This can actually give you a better idea of what your students know (or don’t) compared to a multiple-choice exam.
#3 Choice Boards Allow Me To Learn About My Students’ Strengths And Weaknesses
Because science choice boards allow autonomy and independence, I’m able to gain insight into what skills students lean into and which skills they may be avoiding or struggling with. Choice boards can give you a great idea of students’ gaps because you can see their whole process, not just simply their final answer.
Using information about students’ gaps, I can make a plan to address those gaps and support my students where they need it. This can be done in a mini-lesson, small group, or while the choice boards are happening with some 1:1 intervention.
Ready-to-Go Science Choice Boards
Looking for some print-and-go science choice boards? Check out these low-prep choice boards that you can use during a unit or as a review during independent work and stations.
Thermal Energy and Heat Choice Board – This editable choice board helps students apply their knowledge of conduction, convection, radiation, and thermal energy in various creative ways.
Changes in States of Matter Choice Board – This science choice board is also editable and supports differentiation and creativity while students communicate their understanding of the changes in states of matter.
Interactions of Light Waves Choice Board – Allow your middle school students to demonstrate their knowledge of interactions of light with this editable science choice board.
Want to give choice boards a try? Grab this Science Choice Board Freebie! It can be used for any topic in your science classroom, so customize it to your current or upcoming unit.
[…] projects and allow students to have some autonomy in how they demonstrate their knowledge. I have learned so much about my students from implementing choice boards and you will too.This periodic table choice board offers students ideas such as creating their own […]