Stamina vs. Engagement: Building the Body and Mind in the Classroom
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By Allison Behne and Gail Boushey, authors of ‘Prepared Classroom‘ and ‘The CAFE Book.’
As teachers, we’ve all experienced it: a room full of students sitting quietly, pencils in hand, bodies seemingly compliant. On the surface, it looks like learning is happening – but is it? Are their minds actively engaged, or are they simply going through the motions? This distinction between stamina and engagement is essential, and understanding it can transform the way we approach teaching.
Stamina vs. Engagement: What’s the Difference?
Stamina is all about the body and how long students can sustain necessary behaviors like sitting still, staying quiet, or completing a task. It’s a foundational skill, especially for younger learners, and helps create the structure needed for classroom success. Engagement, however, takes learning to the next level. It’s about the mind and how long students can stay focused, process information, and truly connect with the material.
For years, we’ve placed a lot of emphasis on building stamina. After all, it’s easy to measure: Can they sit through a lesson? Finish a task in one sitting? But stamina alone isn’t enough. If students’ bodies are present but their minds are elsewhere, compliance has taken the place of meaningful learning. And that’s not why we became teachers.
The goal isn’t to choose between stamina and engagement, it’s to build both, ensuring students’ bodies and minds are equally ready to learn.
Finding the Balance
Teaching often feels like walking a tightrope, especially when working with a scripted curriculum. You have lessons to deliver, time constraints to juggle, and students with varying needs. How do you stay on track without sacrificing engagement?
The answer lies in intentional planning. While you may need to follow a script, there’s room for flexibility and creativity to ensure students are truly connecting with the material. Here are four practical strategies to help strike the balance:
Narrow the Lesson Focus
Sometimes less is more. Instead of trying to cover everything in one lesson, focus on the essentials. Shorter, more focused lessons help students stay engaged without overwhelming their stamina. Ask yourself, What’s the one thing I want them to take away from this lesson? By narrowing the focus, you can create deeper understanding in less time.Incorporate Brain Breaks
Even the most engaged minds need a reset. Incorporating short, purposeful brain breaks gives students a chance to recharge, helping them refocus and stay engaged throughout the lesson. Simple activities like stretching, mindful breathing, or quick games can make a big difference. Think of it as hitting the refresh button for their brains.Teach Engagement
Engagement is a skill students need to learn just like any other. It’s not enough to assume they will just “get it.” Teaching students what it means to be engaged is critical. Create a lesson where students explore the different ways to be engaged in their learning. Guide them to understand that engagement isn’t just about sitting still and listening, it’s about thinking, questioning, and connecting with the material. At the end of the lesson, provide them with the tools and resources to reflect on how they can engage more deeply in future lessons. You may wish to use the lesson attached in this article as it is, or as a springboard to creating your own lesson on engagement.Make Learning Visible
Engagement isn’t just about listening, it’s about seeing, doing, and feeling. Tools like anchor charts, learning menus, and concept maps make learning interactive and tangible, helping students connect with the material on a deeper level. These visual aids not only reinforce key concepts but also give students a sense of ownership over their learning.
Beyond Compliance: Creating Lasting Understanding
When we focus solely on stamina, we risk creating classrooms where compliance overshadows true learning. But when we prioritize engagement alongside stamina, we create spaces where students aren’t just present, they’re actively involved, curious, and excited to learn.
As teachers, we have the unique opportunity to shape how students experience learning. By balancing stamina and engagement, we can ensure they’re not just sitting through lessons but truly connecting with them. And that’s when the magic happens, when learning moves beyond the surface and becomes something they’ll carry with them long after they leave our classrooms.
More Ways to Enhance Your Classroom
Did you find these strategies helpful? If you’re looking for more ideas, lessons, and printables to optimize both your teaching environment and your students’ learning conditions, our book Prepared Classroom might be just what you need. Packed with practical resources, it’s designed to help you create a classroom where both you and your students can thrive. Check it out for more ways to enhance stamina and engagement in your lessons!
Prepared Classroom: Ready to Teach, Ready to Learn
This book isn’t just for the start of the school semester – it’s a resource you’ll turn to again and again throughout the year. Filled with evidence-based practices for instruction, relationships, and classroom management, Prepared Classroom ensures you have a solid plan to keep students ready and excited to learn.