Give Me A Break!

Homeschooling, Parents, Teachers

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Why are students disengaged to the lessons that are being taught? Is it because teachers are giving too much direct teaching without engagement? All teachers have pushed through lessons from time to time. But when students are disconnected, whether daydreaming or performing other behaviors, it is simply a waste of time. When this happens, teachers are left to come up with new ways to reteach the same skills and concepts. Not to mention the frustration that it causes both teachers and students.

Maybe students just need a break!

Did you know that a child’s attention span is approximately 2 to 3 minutes for every year of his/her age?

Here is a chart from Brain Balance showing how many minutes students attend to a given task:

* 2 years old - 4 to 6 minutes
* 4 years old - 8 to 12 minutes
* 6 years old - 12 to 18 minutes
* 8 years old - 16 to 24 minutes
* 10 years old - 20 to 30 minutes
* 12 years old - 24 to 36 minutes
* 14 years old - 28 to 42 minutes
* 16 years old - 32 to 48 minutes

Follow these three key points to keep students engaged and participating in your lessons:

GIVE SHORT BREAKS

Begin by adjusting your lessons to meet the minutes in the above chart. This will no doubt require you to make some alterations while planning your daily lessons.

Consider giving a scheduled break before starting a lesson. For example, I give students five minutes at the beginning of class to hold any sidebar conversations. This gives students time to share with one another what is on their minds.

Another way you might choose to give a short break is through some deep breathing exercises. Deep breathing helps to center our thoughts while slowing down the brain to process new information.

Another way you might choose to give a short break is through some deep breathing exercises. Deep breathing helps to center our thoughts while slowing down the brain to process new information.

ALLOW STUDENTS TO MOVE

Most students learn through movement; they are tactile and kinesthetic learners. For example, students will choose to use the computer rather than writing. Why? They are using their left and right hands to type, which is connecting both sides of the brain to simultaneously work together. Other students prefer to stand rather than sit at a desk to do their work. In fact, using standing work desks is being practiced in the business world. Research shows that workers are being more productive when standing.

BE A FACILITATOR

Most teachers are conditioned to teach through lecture first, then allowing students to work independently. However, when teachers adopt a “facilitator” role, more time is spent where students can physically learn through touch and movement. They also have the opportunity to engage in productive conversations with one another.

You might say, “But I don’t have time to do this!”

Let’s look back at education a bit. Think of all the lessons you remember from school. I bet the project based assignments come to mind where you were able to work with a partner vs.your teacher lecturing only to complete a worksheet. You might think, as a teacher, you don’t have the time to implement these three points, when actually you will gain teaching time and student engagement.

Putting these three points into action will give you the quality teaching time you are desiring to find.

All it takes is just a little break!

VLR wants to help you work towards a new mindset. Our modules will guide you how to become a “facilitator” while teaching project and inquiry based lessons. You can do this!

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