Making Class Fun (Without the Fluff)

📌 New on the blog: How I keep routines structured AND still bring the fun—yes, even online in my Outschool classes!

Routine with a Purpose

I’m not about the fluff. I’m a no-nonsense kind of teacher who hates wasting time—whether it’s mine or my students’. There’s always so much to learn and never quite enough time to squeeze it all in. That’s why I build routines into everything.

👉 Within the first couple of weeks, my students know exactly what to expect: what we’re doing, when we’re doing it, and how we’ll get there.

Sounds a little dull, right? Same thing, day after day? Not quite.

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  When learning ends with laughter—students light up like this when routine meets surprise.

Fun—On Purpose and Often

Here’s the twist: We have fun. A lot of it.

At the end of every reading lesson (usually every third day) and about once a week in math, we wrap up with a game. In my Outschool classes, we play a game at the end of almost every session.

And let me tell you—these simple little games are magic. The kids are hooked, and honestly, so am I.

That moment when the dice (or game wheel) lands just right—and everyone’s hooked.

The Secret Ingredient: YOU

If you’re having fun, your students will too.

I get genuinely excited when someone rolls a high number or groan (dramatically, of course) when someone slides down a chute in our game. That energy is contagious.

But here’s the catch—kids are pros at spotting a phony. Don’t fake it. Tap into your inner child, get in the game, and enjoy it for real.

Cheer. Laugh. Be silly. When you do, your students will follow your lead—and they won’t even realize they’re learning in the process.

A playful twist can make even the most structured lesson sparkle—yes, even online.

Why It Works

Parents in my Outschool classes often comment on how much their kids love our games.

One big reason? I always include a bit of unpredictability. The best games are the ones where—with just one roll of the dice—you can go from last place to first… or the other way around.

That surprise factor keeps things fresh and fun, no matter how often we play.

Focused, engaged, and learning without even realizing it. That’s the magic.

Final Thought

So if you’re looking to bring a little spark into your classroom (or your online learning space), try ending a lesson with a game.

You might just turn your busiest, most structured day into the most fun one too—without losing a minute of learning.

💻 Want to see it in action? Check out our classes on Outschool—where learning meets structure, joy, and a whole lot of laughter.

-Elizabeth

👉Link to our classes