How Can I Remove Distractions In The Classroom?

And Help My Students Focus?

Classroom Distractions

• Cell Phones• Smells• Clothing/Jewelry• Gathering Supplies• Wandering Students• Temperature• Office Interruptions • Noisy Chairs/Desks• Outdoor & Hall Distractions

Cell Phones

Do you have a Cell Phone Policy for you classroom? If No, make one and it should look similar to the

following: Cell Phones Will Be Silent (or turned off) During Class. Cell Phones Will Not Be Visible During

Class. This Includes The Teacher.

Smells

The Good & The Bad: Encourage Good Hygiene, As Well Wear A Minimal Amount

Of Perfume or Cologne. Encourage Your Students To Do The Same.

Clothes/Jewelry

Avoid Clothing That Alerts Someone Of Your Arrival, Squeaky Shoes, Clanging Earrings, And So Forth.

Enforce Your Schools Clothing Policies. Short & Tight Clothing Can Be Quite Distracting For Teenage Boys.

Dress Professionally As Well, Lead By Example.

Gathering Supplies

Prepare Ahead Of Time, And Communicate With Your Students The Expected Way To Collect Supplies For The Project They Are

Assigned. Same Goes For Pencil Sharpening And Garbage Disposal.

The Wandering Student(s)

Be Clear With Your Students. Explain To Them How Class Time Should Be Spent, Especially

When Students Will Be Working On Assignments In Groups. Crack Down When Needed, By Reinforcing Your Expectations.

Temperature Control

If You Do Not Have Access To The Temperature Control Settings, Bring In A

Fan And Encourage Students To Bring (or wear) A Jacket.

Office Interruptions

Ask The Office To Email You Instead Of Calling, And Ask Them To Place Notes On Your Desk So You Can Address

It At An Appropriate Time During Class. Set This Expectation With Your Students As Well, To

Limit The Distraction.

Noisy Chairs & Desks

Inform The Maintenance Stuff Or Office Administrators Of The Issue. Create A Temporary Solution If You Can.

Examples: •If You Have An Empty Desk, Have The Student Move To The Empty Desk.

•Use Some Tennis Balls As The Feet On The Chair Or Desk By Cutting Out Holes And Placing Them The End Of Each Leg.

Outdoor (Windows) & Hall Distractions

Are There Activities Taking Place Outside Your Windows Or In The Hall? Close The Blinds When Other Students Are

Eating Their Lunch Or Participating In An Activity Outside Your Classroom.

Close The Door During Class Time To Eliminate Any Wondering Noises Or Active Students In The Hall.