4th Grade Frenzy: Choice Boards

February 16, 2021

Classroom Management for all Types of Writing

For all types of writing, students finish assignments at different times. They will also need varying degrees of help from the teacher as they work through the writing process.

Students can continue to write while waiting for assistance from the teacher. One way to keep students writing while waiting is to provide choice boards. These choice boards can be printed and stapled into a notebook where all the related writing is kept.

Writing Choice Boards

Start each monthly writing choice board by going over the choices and what your expectations are for each option.
Next have students write in their goal. Differentiate as you see fit. Ask students to number their entries in their notebooks so that you can make a quick check of their work. A star gets colored in as each option is completed.
Explain that students should use the choice boards during writing times if they finish an assignment early or they are waiting for the teacher's help. With this system in place, students can keep writing and you may no longer hear, "I'm done!"

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April 14, 2020

7 Benefits of Choice Boards

Choice boards come in a variety of forms and there's no limit to creativity when designing and implementing them.

Here are a few benefits of choice boards:

1. Choice boards are a good option for distance learning.

They can be used to assign a variety of tasks over a given time.

2. Choice boards can give students a break from screen time.

All or some activities on a choice board can be designed to be completed without a device.

3. Choice boards are a great tool for differentiation.

Students with special needs can be assigned limited choices or specific activities if appropriate.

4. Student choice is motivating.

Students can choose the number of activities, the order, or both. They feel in charge!

5. Choice boards can be created for virtually any subject area or level.

I've created them for writing, reading, spelling, grammar, science, social studies, and math. I've seen them for health, physical education, art, music, speech, and foreign language. They can be created for use in Kindergarten through higher education.

6. They can be created easily.

Make them as simple or as fancy as you like. Many simply start with a 3 X 3 grid. Some teachers create them with learning modalities (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) in mind. You can create them with point values. Some are made with the middle space as a free choice. Others are created so students must choose 3 in a row like Tic Tac Toe. Some choice boards are made in the form of menus and include appetizers, main courses, sides, and desserts. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination!