Q: I'm a TA in a secondary school, I work one on one with SEN students, I always have trouble keeping them focused after lunch any suggestions on some simple activities to settle them back in to lessons?
A: I often have trouble getting focused after lunch too. Try some walking and thinking. Take a walk with the student as you ponder the task at hand. Get the blood flowing and the digestion working.
Be enthusiastic, keen, and urgent. Be pleased to see them. Let your interest in the lesson and task is infectious. Almost irritating. Keep a timer on the desk and use it to break down tasks and negotiate short deadlines. Be ready to make a deal, ‘Ok, I understand you would rather be watching Loose Women, if you have a go at the first one I have an idea to give you for the second'.
How about good lesson hooks? Or small elements of competition which will encourage students to concentrate on the task at hand? Mix up the format of after-lunch lessons and present them with tasks or methods that they don't expect.
