Title: Simple Ways to Promote Student Voice in the Classroom | Edutopia
Headings: Simple Ways to Promote Student Voice in the Classroom
Student Voice
Simple Ways to Promote Student Voice in the Classroom
Giving students some say over what happens in class can promote engagement and a strong sense of community.
By Beth Pandolpho
March 10, 2020
Begin Class With a Welcoming Ritual
Plan Consistent Opportunities for Student Voice
Ask Students About Their Lives Beyond The Classroom
Ask for Student Feedback—and Use It

Content: Simple Ways to Promote Student Voice in the Classroom | Edutopia
Student Voice
Simple Ways to Promote Student Voice in the Classroom
Giving students some say over what happens in class can promote engagement and a strong sense of community. By Beth Pandolpho
March 10, 2020
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Jim West / Alamy Stock Photo (16)
Jim West / Alamy Stock Photo (16)
One of the most powerful ways to impact achievement is to actively engage students in the life of the classroom. Although educators know that our students’ contributions are vital to the learning process, educator and author Alexis Wiggins was surprised to observe that many students “feel like a bit of a nuisance all day long.” As teachers, we have the capacity to change our students’ experiences if we design lessons that prioritize student voice and participation. Elevating student voice is critical for many reasons. For one thing, as Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey write, “The amount of talk that students do is correlated with their achievement.” There are strategies teachers can use to elevate student voice in order to strengthen relationships, foster a sense of belonging, increase engagement, and inform instruction. Begin Class With a Welcoming Ritual
Students arrive to class with their minds swirling about failed quizzes, mounting pressure about homework assignments, and concerns about interactions with their peers. In order to help them clear these distractions from their minds, we might begin class with a predictable routine. Students might share “breaking news” or “what’s on the top of your mind?”