Are your students feeling burnt out from too much screen time? It’s something we all face in today’s classrooms. If you’re ready for a break from laptops and tablets, I’ve got 4 screen-free ELA resources to help. Give your students a day away from the screens and see how they respond. Like us, kids can experience screen fatigue too. When we set the technology aside, you might be surprised by how much more engaged and enthusiastic they become.
Have you ever been frustrated with students getting off-task, playing games, or zoning out during lessons?
There are plenty of ways to keep students engaged without relying on technology or worksheets. In this post, I’ll share 4 of my favorite low-tech, high-engagement activities that can bring new energy to your classroom.
Scavenger Hunts
One of my favorite screen-free activities for ELA is the classic scavenger hunt. Not only do scavenger hunts keep students focused and engaged, but they also give them the chance to work together in pairs or small groups—and get up and move! Sometimes I hide clues around the hallways outside the classroom for a fun change of scenery and a bit more space to move.
These activities are also a fantastic way to review material, especially when prepping for standardized tests. Students stay active and alert while reinforcing key concepts.
Card Sorts
Another screen-free resource I love to use is the card sort. Kids like to use these too, and they inspire a lot of conversation and collaboration. The reason these are so beneficial is that they give students a ton of practice on a skill, but don’t feel like work.
I have card sorts for a number of topics, including figurative language, types of conflict, types of irony, and more! They’re a great way to make learning hands-on and interactive.
Scrambled Paragraphs
The next screen-free resource I like to use are scrambled paragraph activities. Teachers love these because they scaffold paragraph writing for struggling writers. They take the focus off the task of writing and put it on the structure of a well written paragraph.
Cards have 1 sentence each, and kids get six cards for each paragraph. They read the sentences and arrange them in a paragraph that makes sense based on transition words and logic.
Color by Number
The last screen-free activity I recommend is color by number. These activities are relaxing as well as educational. Kids get to review a ton of topics and check their work by coloring. The results are beautiful displays for your classroom as well.
Incorporating activities like scavenger hunts, card sorts, scrambled paragraphs, and color-by-number into your ELA lessons can breathe new life into your classroom without relying on screens.
These screen-free resources not only help students review and reinforce key concepts, but they also keep them engaged, moving, and having fun. When learning feels less like a task and more like a creative challenge, everyone benefits.
Give these ideas a try and see how your students respond to a little tech break!
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