Slide into Success: Keep Students on Task with Slide Templates

Do you find yourself repeating instructions? Or hear… “I’m done now what?” I definitely have- way more than I’d like! However I started using daily slide templates and not only has it increased student engagement but it has also kept students on task! I thought I’d share how I use slides templates in case it helps you too. 🙂 Here are 4 easy ways to keep your students on task using Powerpoint or Google Slides templates! 

1. Display Must Dos & May Dos

First, a great way to use Google Slide templates in your classroom is during independent work time. 

Simply choose a template that breaks your slide into two sections. Then, you can list the tasks students need to complete in the first section, and then list the options students can choose from when they are finished.

Here are some benefits of using Must Do / May Do Slides:

⭐ It will stop the constant, “What am I supposed to be working on?” question! 

⭐ Next, it is a great way to provide students with a visual of the directions you have given the class. 

⭐ You will no longer hear, “I’m done.. now what?”. Students can simply look at the board and see what their options are once they are finished. 🙌

Additionally, these slides build engagement in a couple of different ways. 

Students have ownership over the tasks they need to complete and they choose their favorite option from a list of May Dos. 

2. Keep Students on Task at the Very Beginning of Class ☀️ 

Do your students complete tasks at the start of each class? Use a Google Slide template to do the task of reminding your students for you! 

These work WONDERS, especially when students enter your classroom at different times.

Instead of repeating the directions for each student as they enter the classroom, simply refer to the board! 

As a bonus, to increase student engagement during your morning routine, try adding one of these:

✨ Start a “Joke of the Day” tradition and add it to your morning slide.

✨ Celebrate the National Day “holidays” with your class. Here is a National Days website sharing the “holidays” for each day!  

✨ Share a meme of the day with your students. 

3. Display Center Rotations & Activities  

Another easy way to keep students on task with slide templates throughout your day is during small group time! Here are ways a centers slide template can help 🙂

 1️⃣ Remind students of their groups 

        Slides that are divided into 5 or 6 sections work GREAT for this!  

 2️⃣ Show station tasks with slides

        This will help students know exactly what they should be doing at each station.

 3️⃣ Post small group time expectations 

        Create a slide as a class with expectations. Post the slide during each small group time to remind students of the expectations they agreed to. 

 4️⃣ Display a countdown timer 

        This will help students manage their independent time well. Create a visual for students to see how much longer they have at each station. 

Using Google Slides templates in these ways helps increase student engagement. You are able to give your small group your full attention. This allows students to engage more during their small group time with you. Also, students working independently spend their time working instead of wondering what they should be doing. 🙌

I LOVE pairing these center rotations slides with timers. I find that this combination is a game-changer in my classroom. They allow me to not worry about keeping track of time and help keep all of us on task! 

4. Increase Engagement with Slides Templates 

The lessons you teach every day are FILLED with opportunities to use Google Slides templates! 

🌟 Use a fun theme with pictures of sloths or llamas (or whatever your classroom theme is) to add some cuteness (and extra attention from students! 😉)

🌟 Let Google Slides be your scribe! 

           Free yourself from having to stand at the board all day long! Move around the classroom and interact with your students while you teach. 

🌟 Add images to your content 

           Engage students’ brains by connecting your subject to visuals. Pictures are so powerful and help our brains remember information. Use that to your advantage! 

🌟 Sprinkle in some humor 

           Add jokes, memes, or funny short videos as you teach your lessons. These bits of humor will stand out in your students’ minds. Before you know it, students will be talking about your funny video (and your content)! 

Want to Start Using Slides Templates in Your Classroom? 

Sometimes, the hardest part is finding a template that keeps things easy! The last thing you want is to spend hours creating slideshows for your classroom. That is why I created simple, themed slideshows to keep things easy for teachers! 

My templates come in both Google Slides and PowerPoint versions, so you can choose what works best for your classroom! 😊 If you want to engage your students with pre-made Google slides templates, check out my different slide themes on my TpT store. 

OR check out each of my Google and Powerpoint Slides Templates on Etsy!