What is it?
Choice making can enhance student engagement and motivation as well as independence. Choice making provides students the opportunity to indicate their preference at certain times or during certain activities throughout the day. Offering choice gives students a sense of control in their lives and environment and as a result they are more motivated to participate. Choice making opportunities can be offered in countless ways throughout the day, and can occur within activities e.g. type or write responses, or a choice between activities like quiet reading or journal writing.
How do I use it?
- Look at your daily/weekly plan. Identify times where you can offer choices (see examples below). Focus on times or activities where engagement or participation can be improved.
- Limit the number of choices provided. A choice of two is a good starting point.
- Before offering the choice, ensure both options are available and they are motivating to the student.
- Provide the choice options to the student e.g. ‘Do you want to work at the group table or by yourself?’
- State the student’s choice e.g. ‘You have chosen to work at the group table.’
- Follow through e.g. direct the student to the group table.
Additional information
Some students may benefit from a visual support e.g. a choice board. The visual example below allows the student to choose the order of activities to be completed.
Examples of choice making opportunities:
- sit at the group table or by yourself
- write in your notebook or type on the computer
- use a pencil or a pen
- from the list of topics choose one
- complete 3 of the 5 problems on the list
- choose how many items to complete before having a break
- choose what order you want to complete the 3 worksheets
- choose either the teacher or a peer to check your work
- when you want assistance either raise your hand or use the help card
- stand at the front or the back of the line
- complete the worksheet by yourself or with a peer.
Age group
All ages with adjustments appropriate to age and ability.
| Preschool | Yes |
| P-2 | Yes |
| 3-6 | Yes |
| High school | Yes |
Where can I learn more?
Example
