Classroom Activators

More Than 100 Ways to Energize Learners
Second Edition
Gerard A. Evanski - Chippewa Valley School District, MI
Classroom Activators
October 2008 | 152 pages | Corwin
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eBook
ISBN: 9781452294971
Available from January 0001
Hardcover
ISBN: 9781412968812
Available from January 0001

Description

"Chock full of great ideas and easy to use! Whether you are a novice teacher or an established pro, there is a great deal of worthwhile information in this book. It's obvious that the author has spent most of his life in the classroom. The strategies he offers meet the needs of any teacher."
—Al Diver, Principal
Grosse Pointe South High School, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

Proven ideas to keep all students attentive and motivated while learning!

This handy guide is a fun, creative collection of practical strategies that teachers of all grade levels can use to stimulate, invigorate, and re-energize learners whenever they need a "brain break." Each section presents specific activities and engaging techniques to capture and maintain students' attention.

These state-changing activities use movement, games, groups, and adjustments to the classroom environment to help students refocus, be creative, and learn more effectively. The author provides techniques based on brain research to:

  • Keep the learning environment fresh
  • Help students focus on the task at hand
  • Stimulate students' brains in the middle of a lesson
  • Build a sense of community, teamwork, and rapport in the classroom

Classroom Activators illustrates how simple changes can transform the energy level in your classroom, keep students engaged, and improve learning outcomes.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

About the Author

Introduction

  • Brain Research and the Classroom
  • Using This Book
  • How and When to Use These Activities

1. Energize the Environment

  • The Right Stuff
  • Lighting
  • The Sense of Smell
  • The Effect of Ions
  • Musical Moments
  • Varying Your Instruction
  • Novelty and Surprise
  • Theme Days
  • To Get Volunteers
  • Visual Context

2. Get Your Students’ Attention

  • State of the Class
  • Feedback
  • Breathing
  • Hands and Arms
  • Voice
  • Cross Laterals
  • Heavy Jobs
  • Novel Movements

3. Energize Your Students

  • Getting Into Groups
  • Random Groupings
  • Get Students Up and Moving
  • Circle Games
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Silence
  • Pre-Writing Activities
  • A Leg Up
  • Gross Motor
  • Eyes
  • Props

4. Build Teams and Community

  • Getting To Know You
  • Contemporary Variations
  • Group Challenges
  • Just for Fun

References

References

Additional materials

Description

"Chock full of great ideas and easy to use! Whether you are a novice teacher or an established pro, there is a great deal of worthwhile information in this book. It's obvious that the author has spent most of his life in the classroom. The strategies he offers meet the needs of any teacher."
—Al Diver, Principal
Grosse Pointe South High School, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

Proven ideas to keep all students attentive and motivated while learning!

This handy guide is a fun, creative collection of practical strategies that teachers of all grade levels can use to stimulate, invigorate, and re-energize learners whenever they need a "brain break." Each section presents specific activities and engaging techniques to capture and maintain students' attention.

These state-changing activities use movement, games, groups, and adjustments to the classroom environment to help students refocus, be creative, and learn more effectively. The author provides techniques based on brain research to:

  • Keep the learning environment fresh
  • Help students focus on the task at hand
  • Stimulate students' brains in the middle of a lesson
  • Build a sense of community, teamwork, and rapport in the classroom

Classroom Activators illustrates how simple changes can transform the energy level in your classroom, keep students engaged, and improve learning outcomes.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

About the Author

Introduction

  • Brain Research and the Classroom
  • Using This Book
  • How and When to Use These Activities

1. Energize the Environment

  • The Right Stuff
  • Lighting
  • The Sense of Smell
  • The Effect of Ions
  • Musical Moments
  • Varying Your Instruction
  • Novelty and Surprise
  • Theme Days
  • To Get Volunteers
  • Visual Context

2. Get Your Students’ Attention

  • State of the Class
  • Feedback
  • Breathing
  • Hands and Arms
  • Voice
  • Cross Laterals
  • Heavy Jobs
  • Novel Movements

3. Energize Your Students

  • Getting Into Groups
  • Random Groupings
  • Get Students Up and Moving
  • Circle Games
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Silence
  • Pre-Writing Activities
  • A Leg Up
  • Gross Motor
  • Eyes
  • Props

4. Build Teams and Community

  • Getting To Know You
  • Contemporary Variations
  • Group Challenges
  • Just for Fun

References

References

Additional materials

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Classroom Activators

More Than 100 Ways to Energize Learners


October 2008 | 152 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Hardcover 01/02/2026 9781412968812 $79.95
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781412968829 $37.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781452294971 $35.00

"Chock full of great ideas and easy to use! Whether you are a novice teacher or an established pro, there is a great deal of worthwhile information in this book. It's obvious that the author has spent most of his life in the classroom. The strategies he offers meet the needs of any teacher."
—Al Diver, Principal
Grosse Pointe South High School, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

Proven ideas to keep all students attentive and motivated while learning!

This handy guide is a fun, creative collection of practical strategies that teachers of all grade levels can use to stimulate, invigorate, and re-energize learners whenever they need a "brain break." Each section presents specific activities and engaging techniques to capture and maintain students' attention.

These state-changing activities use movement, games, groups, and adjustments to the classroom environment to help students refocus, be creative, and learn more effectively. The author provides techniques based on brain research to:

  • Keep the learning environment fresh
  • Help students focus on the task at hand
  • Stimulate students' brains in the middle of a lesson
  • Build a sense of community, teamwork, and rapport in the classroom

Classroom Activators illustrates how simple changes can transform the energy level in your classroom, keep students engaged, and improve learning outcomes.


Table Of Contents:

  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Author
  • Introduction
  • Brain Research and the Classroom
  • Using This Book
  • How and When to Use These Activities
  • 1. Energize the Environment
  • The Right Stuff
  • Lighting
  • The Sense of Smell
  • The Effect of Ions
  • Musical Moments
  • Varying Your Instruction
  • Novelty and Surprise
  • Theme Days
  • To Get Volunteers
  • Visual Context
  • 2. Get Your Students’ Attention
  • State of the Class
  • Feedback
  • Breathing
  • Hands and Arms
  • Voice
  • Cross Laterals
  • Heavy Jobs
  • Novel Movements
  • 3. Energize Your Students
  • Getting Into Groups
  • Random Groupings
  • Get Students Up and Moving
  • Circle Games
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Silence
  • Pre-Writing Activities
  • A Leg Up
  • Gross Motor
  • Eyes
  • Props
  • 4. Build Teams and Community
  • Getting To Know You
  • Contemporary Variations
  • Group Challenges
  • Just for Fun
  • References

Recent Product Reviews:

"Chock full of great ideas and easy to use! Whether you are a novice teacher or an established pro, there is a great deal of worthwhile information in this book. It’s obvious that the author has spent most of his life in the classroom. The strategies he offers meet the needs of any teacher."
Al Diver, Principal, Grosse Pointe South High School, MI
"Evanski does a wonderful job of boiling brain research down to effective and practical strategies that work for master and rookie teachers alike. The ideas in this book have helped me spice up my lessons and create a successful learning community."
Brent Vasicek, Fourth-Grade Teacher, Miami Elementary School, Clinton Township, MI
"A wonderful compilation of practical exercises and strategies designed to get and keep students’ interest and attention. Evanski shows how teachers can make their classrooms stimulating places of learning and offers specific ways of gaining the attention of even highly distractible students."
Allen Mendler, Educational Consultant, Teacher Learning Center

Recommendations