Kids love games. The mere mention of a game can be enough to get them excited and ready to engage. If there’s a piece of learning I want to deliver in class I’ll often frame it as a game to prime the kids for the type of engagement I’d like from them. It’s the difference between:
“Let’s learn five new words”
and
“Who’s ready for a game?!”
Each can lead to the same lesson content, but one will activate a different type of engagement from the kids.
When in doubt frame it as a game.
