1. Get out of your textbook. This is probably one of my biggest pet peeves, but simply by broadening your planning and lesson structure and getting out of your textbook, you can increase freedom in your classroom. Your textbook is a tool, but when it is leaned on for every instructional event, it can become aggravating, cumbersome, and BORING for students. Start looking beyond the pages for more engaging activities, projects, and experiences for your students. This will increase student focus and allow them to have some choice.