A choice board is a way to provide options for students. Primarily, choice boards are a way to differentiate assignments and allow students to choose from different options when they present their work. The teacher chooses the options available, and the student chooses which to complete. They can be used to give students choices when they finish early, need a brain break, or select a reward. We’ve created fully editable choice board templates for:
- Projects
- Early finishers
- Brain breaks
- Classroom management
- Vocabulary
Just fill out the form on this page to grab all of the printable Choice Board Templates below for free.
Project Choice Board
Use your knowledge of your students to create a project choice board. If your students love making podcasts, include multiple podcast options. That’s not to say that you can’t include things students don’t prefer—you can make some skills mandatory. Each option may have a writing component so students practice writing skills no matter which option they choose.
- Think about what you want students to know and be able to do after the assignment. What do you want them to demonstrate, and how will you know they can do it?
- Think about the resources you have available. Maybe you have access to podcast software but not video software, so a podcast or in-person presentation are both options, but a video isn’t.
- Make a list of the ways students can achieve the objective.
- Consider how long students have to complete the project, and make sure each option allows them enough time to go deep into the topic while still completing the assignment in the time allotted.
Fill in the choice board with options that students can use for that project. For example:
- Write a news report.
- Draw a diagram.
- Make a mini documentary.
- Create and conduct a survey and show the results.
- Create an invention.
Early Finisher Choice Board
This choice board provides options for early finishers. Students who finish their class work early can choose a way to extend their learning or practice core skills with activities like:
- Complete a STEM bin.
- Practice math facts.
- Complete a secret-code worksheet.
- Read independently.
- Write in your reading journal.
- Write a book review for your classroom library.
Brain Break Choice Board
When it’s time for a brain break, have students choose from options including:
- Dance to an online video.
- Do yoga.
- Play Minute To Win It games.
- Breathe like an animal.
Learn more: Educational Brain Breaks Your Students Will Love
Classroom Management Choice Board
As you work with students to teach and manage behavior, letting students choose rewards can motivate them and make it easier to provide incentives. Fill a choice board with rewards that motivate your students like:
- Hearing their name on the morning announcements
- A positive phone call home
- Choice of seat for one class period
- Choice of music to listen to during independent work
- One treasure from the “treasure box”
Learn more: Rewards and Incentives for Kids That Really Work
Vocabulary Choice Board
Allow students to choose how they are going to present and practice vocabulary with a choice board that includes:
- Write synonyms for the word.
- Draw a picture to show the word.
- Explain the word.
- Write a sentence with the word.
- Take a photo or video clip showing the word.
Students can complete as many squares as you assign, but they don’t have to complete all of them. For example, if you assign four squares on this choice board, a student may write synonyms, draw, write, and talk about the word.
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