A high school teacher turned sought-after speaker and author on topics of adolescent literacy, interdisciplinary literacy, and more, Katherine McKnight has made it her mission to create inclusive classroom spaces where students can develop crucial skills, share their thoughts, and get excited about reading in class - regardless of their learning style or level.

Our first ever Featured Educator, Katherine McKnight offers her insider’s insight on the importance of choice in the classroom, and provides words of encouragement that could benefit any educator.

Giving Students a Voice Through Choice

Imagine an average high school English class. They are assigned one book, which they read as a class, as well as discussions, in-class exercises, and reports. Some students thrive, others groan and roll their eyes. With helpful strategies and engaging exercises, Katherine McKnight intends to establish balance between these two extremes.

“One of the things that has become increasingly apparent is the importance of choice in classrooms,” McKnight explained. 

Dr. McKnight suggests an interesting alternative – provide students with 3-4 pre-approved book options at various reading levels…and let them choose what they’d like to read. Therefore, a third grader who is reading at a fourth grade level might select a more advanced book than a third grader reading at an average third grade level.

“Choice has a profound effect on motivation and engagement, especially in students.”

This technique is part of Katherine’s Literacy & Learning Center strategy, an educational model that transforms the classroom into an open and collaborative space. 

By breaking up exercises into mini-lessons, guided practice sessions and learning centers, along with setting clear goals and specific knowledge of content, students are kept actively engaged in class.

In short: Multiple exercises get divided into digestible chunks to make learning a collaborative process, while choice empowers students. This, in turn, encourages them to read what they enjoy on their own time, practicing critical thinking and literacy skills simply because they could choose what they wanted to read.

Reading is always more enjoyable when it's fun, and when it becomes something to do for leisure as well as education. By promoting choice-based learning, we can empower these young bookworms to take literary matters - and materials - into their own hands with passion, determination, and wonder.

Do you use choice-based lessons in your classroom? What do you think students can gain from this learning style? Join the discussion on Facebook!