In many school districts, half days often mean low attendance in elementary schools. Parents and students alike consider it not worth the effort to attend for just a few hours. But one innovative solution has emerged, and it’s proving to be a game-changer: virtual assembly shows.
One school district, in particular, has taken the lead by scheduling virtual assembly shows multiple times throughout the school year, inviting every school in their district to participate. The cost is split over the number of schools involved, making the shows affordable and cost-effective. In addition, teachers find it easier to engage their students with these shows, as it gives them a ready-made activity for the half days.
One such show, Doug Scheer’s Side-by-Side Science, has been particularly effective in getting students excited about coming to class on half days. Doug provides a PDF with simple experiments that can be done with household items, such as plastic bags, pairs of scissors, strings, and empty water bottles. The virtual performer guides the students through these experiments, making science fun and engaging.
By using simple household items, students are able to perform amazing and educational science experiments, all while being guided by the school show performer. This not only keeps the students engaged and excited about attending school, but it also provides a valuable learning experience.
With this innovative approach, schools can turn half days from a problem into an opportunity for engagement and education.
For more information on how virtual assembly shows can be used to increase student attendance: