12 Surefire Ways to Focus Your Class and Increase Learning
Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:46 pmWhen faced with students having difficulty focusing, what can educators do? Here's a list of 12 surefire ways to focus your class and increase learning.
1. Make use of non-verbal signals to cue student before transitions, or to stop all activity and focus on the teacher.
2. Assign students 'Task Buddies' to help keep each other on task. Allow students to ask buddies for clarification on seatwork.
3. Seat distractible students surrounded by well-focused students.
4. Use physical proximity to help cue student to return to task.
5. Allow quiet fidget toys, doodling, or mandalas to help students focus.
6. Vary tone of voice when presenting information. (If you can pull off a dramatic flair, it works well.)
7. Provide study carrels or partitions to reduce visual distractions during seatwork or test-taking as appropriate. (This should be a student choice not a punishment.)
8. Provide sound reducing headsets for students to minimize auditory distractions.
9. Color or highlight directions and important words on assignments.
10. During silent reading, consider allowing students to sit on the floor if they ask. Some students become amazingly focused when they carve out their own space on the floor or in a corner of the classroom.
11. Significantly increase opportunities for active student involvement in the lesson and utilize questioning techniques that engage all students.
12. Consider allowing ADHD students to "tutor" other students in areas of strength. This often brings out focused, caring behavior and encourages self-esteem.
1. Make use of non-verbal signals to cue student before transitions, or to stop all activity and focus on the teacher.
2. Assign students 'Task Buddies' to help keep each other on task. Allow students to ask buddies for clarification on seatwork.
3. Seat distractible students surrounded by well-focused students.
4. Use physical proximity to help cue student to return to task.
5. Allow quiet fidget toys, doodling, or mandalas to help students focus.
6. Vary tone of voice when presenting information. (If you can pull off a dramatic flair, it works well.)
7. Provide study carrels or partitions to reduce visual distractions during seatwork or test-taking as appropriate. (This should be a student choice not a punishment.)
8. Provide sound reducing headsets for students to minimize auditory distractions.
9. Color or highlight directions and important words on assignments.
10. During silent reading, consider allowing students to sit on the floor if they ask. Some students become amazingly focused when they carve out their own space on the floor or in a corner of the classroom.
11. Significantly increase opportunities for active student involvement in the lesson and utilize questioning techniques that engage all students.
12. Consider allowing ADHD students to "tutor" other students in areas of strength. This often brings out focused, caring behavior and encourages self-esteem.