Habit Stacking Participation: Small but Mighty Strategies for Increasing Student Engagement
Monday, June 30, 2025 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM · 1 hr. (America/Chicago)
Interactive Session
Instructional Design and Strategies
Information
In this session, participants will focus on the power of “habit stacking”—making a series of small, gradual shifts in practice—to make lasting and effective change in student participation.
This hands-on session will offer actionable solutions that increase a more meaningful level of student engagement across all classrooms.
This hands-on session will offer actionable solutions that increase a more meaningful level of student engagement across all classrooms.
Outline
Content and Engagement:
This session will be divided into three learning "chunks" that move participants toward action.
Part 1 will be centered on defining the issue at hand (lower student participation) and examining relevant research around the topic and around the theories of "habit stacking" and "less is more."
Part 2 will be present practical strategies for application and offer participants the opportunity to engage in role-play scenarios.
Part 3 will be collaborative as both participants and the session presenter workshop methods to apply the learning around "habit stacks" and "less is more" to their schools and work.
Time: Each content component will take between 15-20 minutes. However, if the format of this presentation changes, that can be easily adjusted.
Process:
The session will include the following tactics for engaging the audience:
1. A variety of interactive methods for elevating student participation, such as modes of discourse across the four language domains and tools that incorporate movement into interaction
2. Templates for applying "habit stacks" to current practice
3. Role-play guidance and practice to help participants become comfortable with new skills
Supporting research
Supporting research includes:
1. The author's own work on this subject around both the topics of habit-stacking and student output, including:
https://ascd.org/books/small-but-mighty?variant=125003
https://www.edutopia.org/article/student-participation-strategies
https://www.edutopia.org/article/decreasing-cognitive-load-lessons
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/64623/tips-for-reclaiming-your-time-as-a-first-year-teacher
2. Research on the three types of engagement:
https://teach.ucmerced.edu/pedagogy-guides/purpose-and-types-of-engagement
In addition, the presentation will pull from experts like Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe and their work on instructional design.
Content Community
ASCD Annual
Subject Area
Other: Please specify
Grade Level
PK-12
Audience
School Level LeadershipTeacherTeacher Development
Session Delivery
In PersonStreamedRecording
Transformative Learning Principles
Connect learning to learnerIgnite Agency
Skill Level
Beginner
Registration Required
No
Attendee Devices
Devices useful
Attendee Device Specification
Laptop: ChromebookLaptop: MacLaptop: PCSmartphone: AndroidSmartphone: iOSSmartphone: WindowsTablet: AndroidTablet: iOSTablet: Windows
Presenter Type
ISTE & ASCD Book Author
Spotlight on Solutions
No
Additional Fee
No


