4 Ways to Balance Rigor and Fun in the ELA Classroom

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As a former teacher and current teacher educator, I have seen firsthand how difficult it can be to create English language arts lessons that deeply engage students. While novels are fascinating to some students, teachers who use a variety of texts and media sources engage more students and address a broader range of topics and reading standards.

Supplementing novels with a variety of informational texts and primary sources that offer historical and modern context helps students understand the novels' settings and characters as they connect literature to the larger world. These connections make students more interested in the stories they read, which improves their overall classroom engagement. If you then encourage students to research topics that interest them, they'll be even more motivated to read and write—and they may even have a little fun.

Below are four fun ways to engage students that worked in my classroom:

1. Help students discover their passions

I once had a student who insisted on writing her research paper on body piercings. I wasn't convinced that it was an interesting topic, so I suggested she consider other ideas. However, she was determined and ended up turning in one of the most impressive research papers I've ever read. It covered a variety of ideas about body piercings, including how different religious cultures apply them and how they can benefit migraine sufferers. I really learned a number of things from her work, while she learned about research and writing because she was focused on a topic she was passionate about.

To create work like this, students need the autonomy to discover and explore resources on a topic that interests them. In research-based classes, teachers guide students through the research process and allow them to share their knowledge about their chosen topic. Teachers ask questions to encourage students to dig deeper and then provide them with the variety of texts they need to conduct their research most effectively.

2. Offering students multiple entry points

Offering access to novels, informational texts, primary sources, and audio resources like podcasts gives students multiple ways to increase their understanding and appreciation of topics that interest them. (I would recommend listening to podcast episodes before assigning them to ensure they are age-appropriate.)

Another entry point for students is learning about their peers' experiences, so when I taught eighth grade, I always assigned The Outsiders. This novel by S. E. Hinton is about teenagers living on two sides of Tulsa, Oklahoma during the 1960s. While the novel is relatable to teens of any generation, the specific setting of Tulsa in the 1960s requires additional context about the historical backdrop of the turbulent 1960s for students to understand the complexities of the novel. The moon landing, the Vietnam War, the explosion of youth culture, Woodstock, and the Civil Rights Movement All of this contributes to the contextualization of the novel. Incorporating additional historical context enhances students' understanding of the novel.

Another book I used to teach is Phineas Gage: A macabre but true story about neuroscienceThis nonfiction book tells the story of a man who was working on the railroad when he suffered a terrible brain injury that had a profound impact on his personality. Incorporating informative texts about the history of the medical profession, including previously accepted (now discredited) practices such as phrenology, gave students a historical perspective on medical knowledge. It opened up interesting dialogues about how far the field of medicine has come and where it could go. The topic helped students make connections between subjects, including science and math, which increased their engagement and enthusiasm.

3. How fun days can also be rigorous

For many teachers, striking a balance between rigor and fun is a constant challenge. One of the ways I did this was by making Fridays “fun days” that tied everything we did to a theme. For example, I came across a cute goose sweater that inspired me to dedicate an entire day to the theme of geese.

Students participated in goose-related activities throughout the day, including reading Aesop. The goose that laid golden eggsDuring a math class, they answered questions like, “How much would a golden egg sell for today?” To answer the question, students had to figure out the average size of a goose egg and then calculate the mass and volume, taking into account the current value of gold. We took a gallery tour where students identified phrases and idioms that use the word “goose.” Even the informational texts we read were goose-centric.

To ensure that students completed these lessons on time, I set up timed stations. The day passed quickly. Students were so focused on learning how geese flying over mountains ride thermal updrafts like roller coasters that they didn't realize how much time they had spent practicing important skills like math, close reading, and critical thinking.

4. Looking beyond the research article

It is common for ELA students to submit a final paper in which they demonstrate their ability to argue based on their interpretation of various texts. However, giving students options in addition to a research paper can significantly increase their engagement. For example, I gave students a “choice board” that invited them to take a creative approach to show their understanding of a novel. Some students created a playlist to accompany the paper. The Outsiderschoosing songs as background for specific scenes and explaining their reasoning. Others painted or drew a picture. And still others recorded a podcast episode about a particular scene or topic of interest relevant to the novel.

Another fun way to improve student understanding is to have them engage in oral debates. I have conducted Socratic debates in my class, where I asked students to develop and present arguments in front of an audience. Unlike a traditional speech format, debates force students to think on their feet and anticipate the arguments their opponents might make so they can counter them in real time. Allowing students to develop their debate topics can alleviate any nervousness they may feel about speaking in front of the class. They will then be confident in the knowledge they have gained on a topic of their choice.

I believe that every student has something—whether it's a research topic or a way to show what they know—that will get them excited about learning. When creative and flexible teachers discover that something and provide the tools and support to explore it, the ELA classroom is a fun place for everyone.