MTSS Ignoring Distractions

Today we are going to learn an important classroom skill. It’s called ignoring distractions.

Open Ended

A lot of things are always happening in middle school. What are some things that happen during the day that distract you?

When we can ignore distractions, we are showing respect and responsibility. When we use self-talk in ignoring distractions, we can focus our attention and continue with our work and be better learners.

o Take a deep breath and notice you are becoming distracted.

o Say, “I feel (insert feeling word), but I will keep working.”

o Using positive self-talk, say, “That was tough, but I did it!”
o Success Criteria: We know we’re successful when we can take a deep breath and notice we are becoming distracted, say to ourselves, “I feel (insert feeling word), but I will keep working,” continue to work, and then say to ourselves, “That was tough, but I did it!”

You have 2 minutes to do the following:
1. write your name,
2. draw a number line from 1 to 10,
3.draw three geometric shapes,
4. list five favorite foods,
5. write two things that not many people know about you

Open Ended

What steps for ignoring distractions did you follow during the activity? What could you have done differently?

Poll

Which distraction would bother you the most?

• You are working at the computer lab with your headphones on. The student next to you is rapping their knuckles on the table, and it is getting hard for you to focus.

• You are taking a test in math class. You always get a little nervous when you take a test, but you have studied for this test. When the test begins, a student sitting next to you has a sneezing attack that is beginning to disturb you.

• You are reading quietly in the classroom library area. A student next to you is cleaning out their folder, dropping papers on the floor, and shooting them into the waste basket.

Open Ended

Some things are harder to ignore than others. What are some times that you think these steps might not work? What additional steps might you need to help you ignore these types of distractions?

Open Ended

What is one thing that distracts you that you will try ignoring this week?