describe ways in which teachers keep students alert
In this chapter, we describe ways in which teachers keep students alert by
p doing things in the moment that are surprising or out of the ordinary (like breaking into song to give directions when student attention has drifted or randomizing calling-on patterns so a student never knows for sure when it will be her turn);
p enlisting interest in the content through the use of voice variety, gestures, challenges, and props; and
p winning students’ attention with positive emotional overtones, such as praise, enthusiasm, humor, and dramatization.
Teachers need to build a repertoire of ways to capture the brain’s attention.
T H E S K I L L F U L T E A C H E R 45
PART TWO | MANAGEMENT | ATTENTION