The shift from the long, warm days of summer to the shorter, darker days of fall can cast an undeniable shadow over the liveliest of classrooms. If we’re not careful, it can be easy to fall into boring and sluggish routines – leading to disengaged students and burnt-out educators. And like the drip of a leaky faucet, if we don’t address the Grump Grinch sneaking into our classrooms, the drip of negativity will soon fill the room with disengagement. The Grumpy Grinch is the classroom villain that thrives on negativity, sapping joy from the space you’ve carefully developed. Don’t let all your hard work slip away!  

But don’t worry! With some adjustments to our classroom routines and the right mix of new energy and fun, we can slam the door shut on the Grumpy Grinch and keep our students engaged and motivated before the winter break.  

Negativity in the classroom has a way of spreading like wildfire. If we are not intentional about keeping our classroom student focused, an atmosphere of uninspired students and teachers not only casts a shadow over classroom engagement, but it also can have a negative impact on academic achievement and performance. Research explains that the classroom climate has a direct effect on student learning (Reyes et al., 2012). If the Grumpy Grinch finds a seat in your room, try one of these practical and impactful strategies to kick the Grinch to the curb. 

Sprinkle Praise… Like Confetti 

We all enjoy feeling appreciated, and the students in our classrooms are no different. But keep this in mind – generic praise like ‘Great Job!’ and ‘Good Work!’ don’t really fill that need. To truly motivate our learners, our praise needs to be specific and genuine. Look for ways to recognize effort, creativity, and progress. As simple as it sounds, personalized praise and feedback are foundational to strong teaching and learning relationships. Consider the following when thinking about how you are offering praise in your classroom: 

Kick Off the Day with Energy 

It’s true that first impressions can last a lifetime – unless you work with kids in a classroom. Then the first impression sometimes only lasts until the bell rings. Starting each day or class period with a fun or energizing activity can help shake off some of the negative vibes.  
 

Check out some gamified educational resources like BreakoutEDU or Blooket to keep students entertained and collaborating in your content. If the gamified vibe is not quite what you’re looking for, check out a mindfulness moment in Headspace or Calm (both offer educator discounts) to establish a more focused classroom experience. Studies show that activities like these boost mood and cognitive functioning (Ratey & Loehr, 2011).  

Let Students Take the Lead 

One of my favorite classroom management and engagement strategies is to let the students take charge. Giving students ownership of their learning isn’t just a great motivator – it also builds confidence, independence and resiliency in the classroom. When students feel they have a say, they’re more likely to engage and invest in their work. 

Consider allowing students to choose how they can demonstrate their learning. Creativity tools like Adobe Express and Canva (both also offer free versions for educators) can help students demonstrate new understandings using a variety of ways – digital graphics, movies, music, and podcasts. This autonomy helps to enhance their sense of accomplishment and accountability (Ryan & Deci, 2000).  

Banishing the Grumpy Grinch isn’t about doing everything perfectly or overhauling your classroom in one fell swoop. Instead, it’s a process that may take time and experimentation, but will leave you and your students re-energized to finish the semester strong. By becoming more intentional with providing genuine praise, starting each day with engaging energy, and magnifying student choice and voice, you can build a classroom where positivity thrives and every day feels less like a Monday. Challenge yourself to embrace these steps and keep the Grumpy Grinch banished for good! 

   Reyes, M. R., Brackett, M. A., Rivers, S. E., White, M., & Salovey, P. (2012). Classroom emotional climate, student engagement, and academic achievement. Journal of Educational Psychology, 104(3), 700–712. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027268   

   Ratey, J. J., & Loehr, J. E. (2011). The positive impact of physical activity on cognition and mood. The Journal of Health Education Research, 26(2), 186–193. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyq045   

  Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68