EP333: Engagement isn't extra: boredom busters that prime the brain for learning (with Katie Powell)

Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers

Engagement is not the same as "fun." It's the foundation for meaningful and lasting learning.

Join me as I talk with Katie Powell, author of Boredom Busters: Transform Worksheets, Lectures, and Grading into Engaging, Meaningful Learning Experiences. Katie shares simple yet powerful strategies that help teachers transform their classrooms into spaces where students thrive. Whether you're trying to bring more fun into your lessons, address curriculum pressures, or manage student behavior during engaging activities, Katie's practical advice can help.

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why engagement is essential for learning and how it primes the brain for retention.
  • Simple strategies like "deploying worksheets differently" to make learning more interactive.
  • How movement, humor, and creative activities reduce behavioral issues and improve focus.
  • How to balance the demands of standardized curriculum pacing with engaging strategies.
  • Practical ways to manage transitions and behavior during high-energy activities.
  • How engagement fosters a sense of belonging, safety, and fun in the classroom.
  • The value of empowering students to understand their own learning needs and self-regulation strategies.
  • How to start with small, manageable shifts to make your teaching more engaging and effective.

Our conversation is packed with practical tips and real-world insights to help you make learning fun, meaningful, and memorable.

Book link: https://amzn.to/3JamUUJ Website: teachbeyondthedesk.com

Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

More description

Engagement is not the same as "fun." It's the foundation for meaningful and lasting learning.

Join me as I talk with Katie Powell, author of Boredom Busters: Transform Worksheets, Lectures, and Grading into Engaging, Meaningful Learning Experiences. Katie shares simple yet powerful strategies that help teachers transform their classrooms into spaces where students thrive. Whether you're trying to bring more fun into your lessons, address curriculum pressures, or manage student behavior during engaging activities, Katie's practical advice can help.

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why engagement is essential for learning and how it primes the brain for retention.
  • Simple strategies like "deploying worksheets differently" to make learning more interactive.
  • How movement, humor, and creative activities reduce behavioral issues and improve focus.
  • How to balance the demands of standardized curriculum pacing with engaging strategies.
  • Practical ways to manage transitions and behavior during high-energy activities.
  • How engagement fosters a sense of belonging, safety, and fun in the classroom.
  • The value of empowering students to understand their own learning needs and self-regulation strategies.
  • How to start with small, manageable shifts to make your teaching more engaging and effective.

Our conversation is packed with practical tips and real-world insights to help you make learning fun, meaningful, and memorable.

Book link: https://amzn.to/3JamUUJ Website: teachbeyondthedesk.com

Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

2025-09-07 48 min
Listen elsewhere

Available Results

Generated results are saved to your library for reuse and search.

No generated results are available for this episode yet.

Transcript

No transcript is available for this episode yet.
Sign in to generate a transcript for review.
Sign in

Chapters

No chapters available.