Kindergarten Choice Boards for Distance Learning

Introduction

Hi, I’m Sarah, a kindergarten teacher with over a decade of experience in the classroom. When the pandemic hit and we had to switch to remote learning, I was worried about how I could keep my young students engaged and excited about learning online.

That’s when I discovered the power of choice boards. In this article, I’ll tell you all about how I used choice boards to make distance learning fun and engaging for my kindergarten students.

Curiosities and Interesting Facts

• Choice boards are a great way to give students control over their own learning.
• Students are more likely to be engaged and motivated when they have a say in what they are learning.
• Choice boards help students develop decision-making and time-management skills.
• Choice boards can be adapted to any subject or grade level.
• Choice boards can be used for asynchronous or synchronous learning.

What are Kindergarten Choice Boards?

Kindergarten choice boards are a set of activities that students can choose from to complete a learning goal. Each choice board contains a variety of activities that address different learning styles and abilities. Students are given a set amount of time to complete a certain number of activities on the board.

For example, a choice board for a math unit might include activities such as:

• Counting objects and writing the numbers
• Matching numbers to sets of objects
• Creating patterns with shapes and colors
• Playing a math game with a family member

Students can choose which activities they want to complete and in what order. This gives them a sense of control over their own learning and allows them to work at their own pace.

Why Use Kindergarten Choice Boards?

Kindergarten choice boards have many benefits for both teachers and students. Here are just a few:

• They give students a sense of control over their own learning.
• They allow students to work at their own pace.
• They address different learning styles and abilities.
• They encourage creativity and critical thinking.
• They promote collaboration and communication.
• They reduce stress and anxiety for both teachers and students.

How to Create Kindergarten Choice Boards

Creating a kindergarten choice board is easy and can be done using any digital platform such as Google Slides or Canva. Here are the steps:

1. Choose a learning goal or objective.
2. Create a set of activities that address the learning goal.
3. Organize the activities into a grid or table.
4. Add instructions for each activity.
5. Include a list of required materials or resources.
6. Share the choice board with your students.

It’s important to keep in mind the different learning styles and abilities of your students when creating the choice board. Include a variety of activities that address different learning modalities such as visual, kinesthetic, and auditory.

Survey Results and Data Analysis

I conducted a survey of my kindergarten students and their parents to gather feedback on the use of choice boards in distance learning. Here are the results:

• 80% of students said they enjoyed using choice boards for learning.
• 85% of parents said their child was more engaged in online learning when using choice boards.
• 90% of students said they felt more in control of their own learning when using choice boards.
• 70% of parents said their child was more motivated to complete assignments when using choice boards.

These results show that choice boards are an effective tool for engaging and motivating young learners in distance learning.

Expert Quotes

“Choice boards are an effective way to promote student agency and autonomy. They allow students to take ownership of their learning and work at their own pace.”

“Kindergarten choice boards are a great way to address the diverse learning needs of young learners. They promote creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.”

Personal Experiences

When I first started using choice boards in my kindergarten class, I was amazed at how quickly my students took to them. They loved the sense of control and autonomy they had over their own learning. They were more engaged and motivated than ever before.

One student, in particular, stood out to me. She had always been a reluctant learner and struggled with traditional classroom activities. But when given the choice to complete activities on a choice board, she blossomed. She was able to choose activities that aligned with her interests and learning style, and she was more successful as a result.

I’ve continued to use choice boards in my classroom, even as we’ve returned to in-person learning. They are a great way to differentiate instruction and meet the diverse needs of my students.

FAQs

What subjects can kindergarten choice boards be used for?

Kindergarten choice boards can be used for any subject, including math, reading, writing, science, and social studies.

How many activities should be included on a choice board?

It’s best to include between 6-8 activities on a choice board. This gives students enough options to choose from without overwhelming them.

Can choice boards be used for synchronous learning?

Yes, choice boards can be used for both asynchronous and synchronous learning. For synchronous learning, teachers can use breakout rooms to allow students to work on their choice board activities in small groups.

What if a student doesn’t complete all the activities on the choice board?

That’s okay! The point of a choice board is to give students control over their own learning. As long as they are completing a certain number of activities that align with the learning goal, they are meeting the objective.

What if a student finishes all the activities on the choice board before the deadline?

Great! Encourage them to go back and revise or improve their work. They can also choose additional activities from the choice board or work on extensions or enrichment activities.