Turn Off the TV?

The last week of April is known as National TV-Turnoff Week. What does this actually mean? Over the years, this particular week has evolved into a week’s worth of awareness regarding alternative activities that create and/or maintain a healthy, well-rounded lifestyle. Such activities would take the place of watching television, playing video games, or other media-related activities. Choosing to recognize National TV-Turnoff Week doesn’t necessarily mean one should completely give up electronic media and/or television, but rather, to reorganize and reinvest time into other activities. The official TV-Turnoff website provides statistics, information, FAQs, and alternative activity suggestions to explore during the week.

Bring the Message to Life in Your Classroom

How does this relate to the classroom? In my own classroom, it does not mean abandoning the technology tools and applications that enhance learning, and quite frankly, have transformed instruction and pupil engagement. Instead, my language arts classes use the week to recognize the importance of reading, writing, and the environment that inspires it. Over the course of the week, there are a variety of activities that pupils can engage in inside and outside of school. I offer rewards for their participation. Taking part in the activities is voluntary, and pupils may choose which activities they want to try. They may also choose how many activities they’d like to tackle during the week. Below is alist of activities that pupils may choose to try:

• Investigate a New Hobby and Try it Out: We discuss how authors get their ideas for short stories and novels. Many write from life experiences. The objective of this activity is for pupils to try something new and to write about it during journaling time. The only materials pupils need to bring to class are the notes from their new experience, which they can use for writing in their journals.
• Read a Different Author or Genre: As a class, we study a variety of genres and authors. The objective of this activity is for pupils to discover at least one interesting book written by an author they haven’t read, or genre they normally don’t choose during independent reading time.
• Make Observation Lists: Pupils select a place to sit for fifteen minutes. This can be during recess, lunch, library time, or at an after school location. They observe the action happening around them and note it in a journal. The observation list can be shared with the class at the end of the week.
• Create a Nature Poem: In the spirit of Thoreau, pupils go outside and watch nature. They then write an original poem which should be inspired by something the poet observes.
• Interview a Family Member or Friend: Engaging in a person-to-person conversation with a loved one is a great way to reconnect. Students can record or write down responses, and hopefully learn something new about a loved one.
• Compose a Friendly Letter: As an alternative to electronic communication, learners can use special stationary and writing utensils to write a letter to someone special.
• Write the Instructions to Your Favorite Activity and Teach it to Someone Else: The objective of this activity is for pupils to practice writing instructions, and also to share an interest with a friend or sibling.

Throughout the week, my class shares the activities they have chosen and completed. For each activity completed, they are given the opportunity to choose rewards. This helps encourage learners to try something new, as well as adds an element of entertainment to the springtime classroom. Rewards include special treats and a variety of school supplies. Pens, pencils, paper, erasers, stickers, highlighters, granola bars, and chewing gum are favorites of my sixth graders. Using bulletin board space to showcase finished poems, photos, lists, and letters is also rewarding. Take a few minutes of each day to allow your kids to share their experiences with trying something new. They may just find that they are fostering a new interest or hobby that will contribute to a more well-rounded, healthy lifestyle.

More Ideas:

Love of Reading Month

Here is an article that shares motivating and engaging activities to encourage reading. From a reading contest, to decorating the classroom door, pupils are sure to find something engaging!

We Love to Read Bulletin Boards 

This bulletin board idea uses photographs of individual pupils to spell out the word read. The arranged photos make a background for student work and activity sharing.

Top 5 Bulletin Boards 

This is an article that shares information and ideas on how to create the perfect bulletin board for your classroom. These ideas can help introduce material or provide opportunities to interact with information.