• If I did this again, I would….

• What part did you struggle with? 

• How did your thinking change?

• What did you do well?

• With what do you need help?

• What was easiest for you?  Hardest?

  
  

I use predictions I run a timer they get to answer at the end of the timer on zero but it counts out of order.

This strategy will help teach attention and focus.

Strategy: Pace your teaching with students' attention. Use the CRAVE acronym- Curiosity, Relevant, Ask Questions, Variety, Emotions. Breaking information into small 8 minute chunks will help to keep students' attention.

I can use this strategy by using a variety of strategies during my lessons to keep students engaged.

Breathing: I want to use this activity to help my students transition smoothly from SPECIALS. I noticed my students are really hyper after specials and this breathing strategy will be a good idea to help them back to focus and be mindful.

Engagement - Collaborative Learning

It's called Switch - you teach something for one minute, then have them Think-Pair-Share, when the 1st student is done teaching the partners stand up and high-5 each other, also, if you have a student that doesn't want a partner - have them teach their shoe and make sure the shoe is nodding along or shaking side to side in confusion:)

Brain Break - Focus Activity - Other Languages

I work at a DHH/HI school and students often see others using sign language. They have a high interest. Students always want to learn new words to communicate, but also a great way to introduce words that relate to a lesson or activity.

6th grade Explorations - World Language

Invisible Pictures would be great (and fun!) for vocabulary practice. We could use it with whiteboard markers and then transition to Pictionary style game to practice their ne words

My purpose would be for my students to focus more and I could incorporate this in between transistions to different subjects.

When I was a classroom teacher, I have done the Rock Scissors Paper Math activity with my students to practice their addition facts. The students were always focused during this activity and loved playing it!

• Your Grade Level= 2nd grade

• Purpose : Focus

• Strategy: Dot Focusing-Have students take out a piece of letter-sized paper, hold it sideways, and make a dot in the middle. Ask them to look at the dot and keep their focus on it. When they find their eyes moving away, have them raise their hands Once most hands are up, note how long it took and ask them what led their eyes to wander.
  

This resource provides probing questions that encourage students to reflect on their test expectations, results, and ways to improve. The questions given help promote metacognition and ownership of their learning.

I would have all students respond to these questions after a summative assignment is returned. This reflection would lead to mastery of learning.

Second Grade Teacher

Focus and attention procedures and practices

There are many ways, but I like what the "8 Quick Ways to Improve Your Attention Span" resource

I would simply follow all eight of them. However, the Gum Chewing and the Tea Drinking can be done in the house. Also, tea drinking can be substituted with another drink that has the same approach and benefits as the tea, and also kid friendly.

Purpose = Reducing Anxiety/Focusing

One of the areas that I would like to incorporate in our school would be the "Brain Breaks." I see this as a positive way to teach our students how to become one with self, but more so to learn how to control their emotions when they become angry, anxious, or excited. Our students often work off of impulse and do not take the time to understand what is going on around them, they often just react, but by teaching them how to Stop, Think, and then Do, they would become less reactionary, and this would help to reduce a lot of the conflicts and challenges that they face daily.

The breathing breaks would also help them when they are facing stressful times/situations when they are taking an exam/test, or even when presenting in front of their class or audience.

Have students think about when is it important to be able to pay attention during their day.

Then, have students look at the dot on their sheet and keep their focus on the dot.

Tell students when their eyes wander, they are to raise their hand or stand up to signal they lost their focus.

When most students have lost focus from the dot, note how long it took to lose focus and what made their eyes wander.

Repeat the activity, and discuss how students tried to improve on staying focused on the dot.

5th Grade-

Brain breaks I use mix-pair-share as a way for collaborative discussions to share ideas and movement.

Purpose = Focus and Attention

The idea of placing a small dot or a small object in the room and having students focus on the dot to build the capacity to focus and increase their attention span is a marvelous idea. I can recall when I played sports from the time that I was 4 years old up until my final snap in college, my coaches would have us focus on a spec on the wall to ensure that we were tuned in, focused and ready to go defeat our opponent. This was transferred to studying and getting ready for an exam in high school, all of the way through law school.

When we are able to train our mind and to get a laser focus, it seems as though we are able to slow time down and take our time in completing the task at hand.

I chose the strategy Shine the Spotlight on Attention which focused mostly on the students sharing examples of being so focused on an activity that they've blocked out distractions around them, such as getting lost in a good book or movie, practicing the piano, or perfecting their jump shot in basketball. This strategy reminded me of the game "charades." What a fun way to have students act out a FOCUS while other students focus all of their attention on the students who are acting. I think this would be so fun, meaningful, and engaging for all grades!

Focused Attention Practices

'Rise and Fall' Students get a stuffed animal, lay down on their backs, place the stuffed animal on their belly, and watch it rise and fall. Students would be very excited about the opportunity to 'play' with a stuffed animal and take a 'break' from learning. ;)

'Movement' There is a channel on Go Noodle that has videos to help students refocus and concentrate on their breathing and spatial awareness.

'Shine the Spotlight' In the beginning of the year, especially for writing, we gradual increase the number of minutes students engage in writing by setting a timer. The timer helps students know how much time is left but also provides a challenge to focus longer than the timer.