If your class’s attention is beginning to wonder, this could be down to a whole host of things – remember we all get tired! Do not resort to trying to speak louder than your students – it’s not good for you and it’s not good for your students. Try some of these tips instead:
Don’t do as I do, do as I say
Tell everybody to stand up and raise your hands to indicate this. As soon as they are all out of their chairs, tell everyone to sit down and lower your hands to indicate this. Keep telling students to stand up and sit down with the hand gestures, then tell them to stand up but do the ‘sit down’ gesture. This usually produces a laugh as some students follow the gesture and others follow your verbal instruction. Tell students to sit down and to focus on the lesson. This quick activity should wake students up a little and help them regain their focus.
Who’s listening?
If you have asked for the attention of your class and you are only getting it from some students, stand at the front and give commands such as “Touch your head”, “Touch your nose”, “Touch your mouth”, etc. The students who are paying attention will start to perform the actions, and eventually, those who are not focused will see what the others are doing and join in. Once all of the students are carrying out your commands, give your final command: “Look at me.” This works best with younger students.
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