12 Strategies for Enhancing Student Engagement (That Actually Work!)

Student engagement is more than just showing up to class. It’s the extent to which students think critically, collaborate intentionally, and take an active role in their own learning.

With endless distractions, practical engagement strategies can encourage students to become active participants, rather than passive recipients.

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1. Warm-Ups That Work

Warm-ups don’t always have to tie to the content objective! Sometimes, an easy win is all that’s needed to boost motivation. 

Use a daily review question, tie in current or local events, or host a fun-fact discussion. Have students respond via sticky notes, digital polls, or journal prompts. These quick opportunities to connect outside of the subject matter show students that their voices are valued beyond what the curriculum requires.

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2. Energize with Movement 

When recess is no longer an option, physical movement remains non-negotiable. 

Take glazed stares and lackluster responses as a cue that it’s time to move! Try these quick, no-prep ways to get students moving:

• Walk and Talk - Students pair up and discuss a topic while moving. Include concept review, things they notice, questions, and more.
• Musical Chairs - No competition this time, but rather a chance to try a new seat within an allotted time frame. Incorporate music to make it fun!
• Flexible Seat Work - Prefer to work on the floor or stand? No problem! Allow students to move their bodies in ways that work and don’t distract others.

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3. Switch Up the Medium

If you notice that your students struggle with content engagement, a simple way to shake up the routine is to vary the medium of classroom materials.

Close devices for a day and sketch notes instead. Use colorful markers instead of a “pencil-only” requirement. Let students respond on index cards, rather than calling out answers. 

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4. Self-Directed Learning

Middle and high school students thrive with autonomy. 

Begin your class with clear objectives and help students set aligned goals for the allotted timeframe. Try these self-directed structures:

• Checklist Day: Students complete a set of tasks in the order they choose.
• Menus: Provide a combination of learning activities with set parameters.
• Coffee Shop Class Period: With ambient lighting, music, and a projector backdrop, incorporate checkpoints for self-monitoring and get to work!

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5. Make It Personal: Choices Matter

Along the same lines of student autonomy, enhance student engagement by offering personalized choices. 

Make this happen by varying the process or the product.

• Process Example: Listen to an audio version of the text, read it aloud in a group, or read it silently to yourself.
• Product Examples: Present your findings through digital slides, flashcards, a written report, or a recorded audio.

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6. Feedback… That Actually Gets Read!

A key way to engage students and let them know their work matters? Give feedback! 

But don’t stop there! If your meticulous comments only end up in the trash bin, then incorporate time for students to review the feedback and take action with it.  Brisk’s Glows & Grows tool helps teachers easily add targeted feedback into student Google Docs submissions. Identify areas for improvement and celebrate growth - win-win!

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7. Take Their Input - And Use It!

You know those questionnaires most teachers complete at the beginning of the year? Don’t file away the responses - use them! 

Swifties in the class? Practice rhetorical analysis with a fan-favorite song. 

Minecraft enthusiasts? Incorporate biomes and adventure maps into math or science curriculum. 

Prioritizing student input and highlighting their interests demonstrates that their perspectives are valued.

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8. Talk It Out

Your verbal processors will thank you, and your auditory learners will have plenty to gain, too!

Utilize creative grouping strategies to encourage students to engage with more peers and keep discussions fresh. Try call-outs like “find someone with the same birth month” or “wearing the same shoe color.”

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9. The Power of Good Questions

Tired of questions that fall flat? With Brisk’s DOK Question generator tool, you can easily create leveled questions for students to answer.

Want to really up the engagement? Bring students into the decision-making and have them develop their own questions to answer. You might even include student-submitted questions on an upcoming assessment!

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10. Formatives that Inform

Regular formative assessments can be powerful indicators of engagement and progress. Implement brief formative checks (pre-assessments, polls, etc.) before engaging in new content (because nothing causes a student to tune out faster than “I already learned this.”) 

Most importantly, use formative data in a way that allows you to review the results and inform your instruction before moving on to new concepts.

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11. Adjust the Pacing

A change in pace can be an effective way to boost engagement! 

Whether it’s allowing longer wait times with questioning or speeding up the daily routine, adjusting the daily pace can encourage quality contributions and better thinking, or add just the right amount of urgency to keep things moving!

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12. Celebrate the Small Stuff

In the upper grades, celebrations and little wins often become fewer and farther between. Even the most random celebrations are memorable for secondary students!

No need for extravagance - highlight National Donut Day or call for a round of applause each time someone finishes a new book. Discover the little things that bring positivity and joy to your classroom!

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Teacher Tip: Student Engagement

It’s tempting to look at this list of strategies and want to try everything, but hear us out, … don’t. To avoid overwhelm, pick one new strategy to try before implementing more. 

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Building a Culture of Engagement

Great teachers know that building an engaged classroom takes time, continual adjustment, and reflection. With consistent practice, these simple student engagement strategies will instill confidence and encourage students to participate in the learning process actively.

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Need more teacher-focused tips to refresh your instruction? Learn more in The Smart Teacher’s Guide to Lesson Planning.