creating engaging classrooms

 Success is a great motivating factor, and students who are motivated are usually more engaged in the lesson and their learning. However, it's important (I feel) that students don't just equate success with grades. After all, loads of people (including teachers!) have been successful in life without scoring top marks.  This is where personal learning checklists can come in. Using these at the beginning, middle and end of a unit (and perhaps other points between) allow students to see the progress that they have made, the successes that they have had.  Here's an example, if you aren't sure what I'm talking about: It is literally a list of skills you intend for students to acquire or develop during the unit. Students self-assess themselves, perhaps using a colour code (red, amber, green) or letter code (d - developing, s - secure, e - expert), returning later to review their own progress. Thus they can then see how your teaching input has lead them to acquire new s...