Getting kids to focus is one of the most important yet most difficult tasks we as educators face. Without concentration, even the most basic of skills can’t be taught; meanwhile, studies have shown that elementary students have an attention span of 15 minutes. Heck, even adults have an attention span of only 20 minutes.
So what teaching strategies can we use to get and maintain focus within the classroom? Today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox, herself a seasoned elementary educator based in Upstate New York, looks at several teaching strategies to use when attempting to get kids to focus.
Janelle’s ideas include:
- Use interactive modeling
- Reflect with others
- Share with others
- Get students moving
- And more!
Janelle sums up her article like this: “When used effectively, these five teaching strategies can help students learn to stay focused. With everything in life, it will take time and practice, but if you teach your students to use these strategies they will be able to increase their ability to remain focused.”
Do you have any tips or suggestions on how to help students stay focused? Please share your ideas, we would love to hear your thoughts.
10 Things to Do Now to Prepare for Back to School
Although your school’s doors may have closed for the summer, and you’re likely focused on June, July, and August, it’s never to early to start thinking about your triumphant return to the classroom at the end of the summer (not a popular notion today, probably).
Today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox, herself a seasoned educator based in upstate New York, explains that tackling some of those topics ahead of time can save you lots of time (and relieve a little stress) when the fall arrives.
Janelle’s ideas include:
• Order school supplies
• Make copies
• Create a bulletin board
• And more!
In summation, Janelle notes: “It’s great to get a jumpstart on the following school year so you don’t have to spend the summer thinking about work. Take your summer vacation and spend it on yourself, relaxing and unwinding from the school year.”
How do you prepare for the next school year? Do you wait until the fall or get a jumpstart before summer break?
