ClassroomScreen: 10 Features for a Positive and Welcoming Classroom Environment

Welcome, EduMagicians! If you're a fan of using interactive tools in education, you're in for a treat. Today, we’re diving into ClassroomScreen—an interactive resource that has evolved into a powerhouse for classroom engagement. Originally designed to streamline classroom management, ClassroomScreen now includes a wide array of tools to support everything from attendance to student engagement and much more.

About Classroomscreen

Whether you’re setting up a warm welcome screen, conducting quick polls, or leveraging tools for structured activities, ClassroomScreen has something to offer every teacher. In this blog post, we’ll cover ten essential strategies to make the most out of ClassroomScreen, each with detailed explanations, practical tips, and real-world examples to implement these tools successfully.

1. Personalized Welcome Screen

The welcome screen feature on ClassroomScreen is a great way to start each day with positivity and purpose. Teachers can set up a screen with a personalized greeting, an inspiring image, and reminders about materials needed for the day.

Choose a background that reflects the season, current class topic, or student interests. Create a brief welcome message, and consider adding an encouraging quote. Include a checklist of materials or tasks that students should have ready.

2. Engaging Students with Polling Options

The polling tool on ClassroomScreen allows for instant feedback and engagement. You can ask multiple-choice questions and true/false statements or even use smiley face icons for quick, mood-based check-ins. Polls are great for gauging student readiness or sentiment at the start of class. They’re also useful for wrapping up a lesson, allowing students to reflect on their understanding of the material.

3. Using the Random Name Picker

Encourage student participation with the random name picker. This feature selects students at random, ensuring everyone has an equal chance to contribute. Framing the activity as a “random wheel of wisdom” and reminding students that it’s a way to hear everyone’s voice can make participation less intimidating.

4. Monitor Sound Levels

ClassroomScreen’s sound level monitor helps students self-regulate their volume. The tool displays a visual meter so students can see if they’re being too loud or within the acceptable range. Set sound expectations for different activities. For example, “During independent reading, keep the sound below level 3.” If students are too loud, the monitor will alert them with a visual cue.

5. Using Visual Timers

Time management is key in the classroom, and ClassroomScreen’s timer is an invaluable tool for keeping students on task. The timer can be customized for various durations and even includes fun sound cues to signal when time is up. Timers are great for timed quizzes, think pair and share discussions, small group work, breaks, or activity transitions. Use sound cues that align with your students’ interests, like a Mario Kart theme, to make time management fun and engaging.

6. Fun Backgrounds and Themes

From calming colors to themed backgrounds, ClassroomScreen allows you to choose images that suit the day’s mood or lesson focus. Use seasonal or theme-based backgrounds to add a visual element to your teaching. You can also opt for calming backgrounds during tests or other focus-intensive activities.

7. Timetables and Checklists

The timetable feature on ClassroomScreen is ideal for structuring your day’s activities and keeping students on task. It can serve as a schedule or as a visual reminder of the day’s goals. Set up a checklist with three or four key tasks for the day. Review these as a class and let students check off items as they go. This helps students track where they are in the activity and stay focused.

8. Managing Classwork with Work Symbols

ClassroomScreen’s work symbols let students know when they should work independently, whisper, or collaborate with peers. This visual cue is a lifesaver for maintaining order during group or solo work time. Use the symbols as visual reminders for noise levels. For example, place the “whisper” symbol on the screen during group discussions or set it to “silence” during test-taking. When it’s time for independent writing, set the work symbol to “quiet.” Students will know it’s a time for individual focus, creating a conducive environment for concentration.

9. Exit Tickets

Exit tickets in ClassroomScreen help teachers assess student understanding and collect feedback on the day’s lesson, offering insights for both academic and emotional well-being. Exit tickets can be set up as reflection questions, quick polls, or prompts. Make it part of your routine so students become familiar with sharing their thoughts at the end of each class. Use the exit ticket feature to ask students, “What’s one thing you learned today and one question you still have?” This not only helps you gauge comprehension but also fosters a growth mindset.

10. Educational Games

ClassroomScreen also offers games like Memory Match and Boggle to incorporate fun learning moments. These are perfect for brain breaks, early finishers, or adding a bit of play to your lessons. Use games strategically—introduce a quick round of Boggle at the end of a vocabulary lesson, or have students do a memory match related to math facts. After a lesson on digraphs, challenge students to a game of Boggle, asking them to find as many words as they can with digraphs. This reinforces their learning in a fun, interactive way.

What do you think?

ClassroomScreen isn’t just a tool; it’s a teaching ally, transforming how you organize, manage, and engage in your classroom. Whether you’re using it to welcome students, encourage participation, or foster a calm environment, each of these strategies brings a new dimension to your teaching.

Give ClassroomScreen a try

How could you incorporate these features into your classroom routine? Which ClassroomScreen tools are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe for more tips on bringing EduMagic into your classroom!