Fire Up the Brain

It’s just five days into the New Year, and we’ve had our first snow day! While it was definitely an unexpected surprise, if you are like me, you are now wondering about what tomorrow will bring. This is especially true since we have just return from the winter break. Given the additional day out of school, I started to think about how to re-engage students (again) after a snow day.

I discovered an article from theguardian.com that gives quick and easy tips on how to engage student lessons after a holiday. Neurologist Judy Willis recommends we use “strategies to make sure the sensory information provided (through what you say, show, do or have students experience through physical movements) gets through their attention filters.” According to Willis, “incorporating music, movement (students and classroom furniture), even a change in routine is enough to grab the attention of students so that the teacher can help them access prior knowledge as he or she introduces new information.” We all know it can be difficult to grab the attention of young students anytime during the school year but especially after long breaks. If you are looking for simple ways to refocus your students, click here to read the full article. tlb

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