🧠 The “Things to Do” list in our classroom
In our class, when students finish their regular work, they have several options for what to do next. One of the most popular ones is something we call the “Things to Do” list.
📝 This is a list where I write different things that our classroom might need. For example:
🎨 A poster for the new unit
🧩 A poster with the rules for using the class puzzle
📖 A cover page for the stories I write for the students
But the list also includes tasks that support their learning, such as:
➗ A poster explaining how to convert fractions into decimals
🗣️ A poster about prepositions
📏 A poster showing how to convert between units of measurement
Students can choose one of these tasks and create the material themselves.
🏫 This has become a great way to encourage student agency and a sense of ownership in the classroom, because the materials they create often end up hanging on our walls and being used by everyone.
Over time, the “Things to Do” list has become surprisingly popular among my students.
Of course, it has a few simple rules:
✍️ If you want to do something from the list, you must write your name next to it.
✅ If you start a task, you must finish it.
🤝 And sharing your work with classmates is always encouraged.
It’s a simple idea, but it helps students feel that the classroom is something we build together.