- Before you start, a few important points:
Try multiple interventionsEach intervention should be tried for designated length of timeMore than 1 intervention may be implemented at the same timeCollect and track specific data on each intervention tried & its effectIf your data indicates no progress after the designated length of time, you may consider another intervention or look at a different root cause and different set of interventions
Interventions:
Use engaging games and activities
- Poster discussions/gallery walks
- 1 Minute Infomercials - assign topic or concept to a group and they prepare a 1 minute infomercial to teach the rest of the class
- Standing review
- Game shows - Jeopardy, Price is Right, Pyramid, etc.
- Post-It Note activities
- Gestures, songs, or chants
- Inside/Outside circle
- Four corners groupings/vote with your feet
- Snow ball fights
- 1-10 Rate your knowledge
- Assigning roles
- Making lists at your tables
- Read Alouds
- Apps
- https://www.sitspots.com/
Avoid or reduce the amount of copying required
Use visual aids (number lines, matrix charts, list of steps, etc.)
Plan purposely for where you want their attention directed (teacher, powerpoint, materials, other students, etc.)
- Black out the powerpoint if you want them focusing on you or other students and not the board
Teach the learners to repeat directions (call backs)
Ritual (doing things that are expected) vs. Novelty (doing unexpected things)
- Today’s world is not ritual, it’s more novelty. It used to be ritual and we were used to following procedures, rules, traditions. People are breaking that mold so novelty is important.
- If you balance ritual and novelty, the day flies by (Zone of Proximal Development)
- Too much ritual, the day drags on and the brain shuts down (Comfort Zone)
- Too much novelty breeds chaos (Danger Zone)
- Provide both rituals and novelty in your lessons. Kids need a little more ritual and adult learners need a little more novelty.
- Create consistent routines/rituals for ongoing tasks - Provides safety, comfort zone, lowers stress levels, increases higher risk taking from students
- Use novelty in your lessons when you need to increase energy, engagement, or grab their attention. Novelty increases retention.