Keeping Students on

Task

Taylor Meineke
There are many different ways to keep students on task. When subbing for a class,
it's important to have these ready to use. Some good examples are:
1. Groups/Pods
2. Walking around the classroom
3. Small breaks
4. Setting a timer
Groups/Pods
Group work can be useful for many students. If
they are working with their peers they can
access help much quicker than if they were to
ask the teacher. Groups however can be an easy
way to be off task. To avoid this, assign the
groups instead of letting the students choose.
Walking Around the Room

If you walk around the room and create a large

presence, most students will stay on task. If the
teacher simply sits at their desk and works on other
things, the class will usually talk, or get confused
and not as for help. It’s much easier to just talk than
to worry about asking the teacher for help. Walk
around, check on students, and answer questions.
Small Breaks

Giving the class a small break can actually keep them on

task more than if they were to try and finish it all in one
time span. The break allows students to relax, get a drink,
or use the restroom. Then when they come back to begin
working again, their mind is fresh and they don’t feel so
overwhelmed. Breaks should only be limited to 10 minutes
or less. More time can cause students to become more off
task and forget about school work.
Timer

Setting a timer in the classroom makes sure students get

their work done in a certain amount of time. This way,
students won’t slack off as much, and know their work must
be done at a specific time. Putting the timer where its visible
is helpful too, this way the students can use time
management. A timer in the classroom is one of the best
tools a teacher or substitute can use.
 Scenario A

The students are walking into the classroom. What should the substitute teacher
be doing?
If the students are about to enter the classroom, the teacher needs to be greeting
them at the door giving them instructions. If this does not happen, it can cause
mass chaos and doesn’t set the standards for the day. Keeping students on task
also means greeting them at the door. The littlest things can make the biggest
difference.
 Scenario B

The students are about to work on a math assignment, when one student tries to
get the teacher off task so that he doesn’t have to do the assignment. The
substitute teacher uses strategic dialogue to get the students on task.
In this scenario, the teacher needs to bring the context back to the assignment. If
the student begins to talk about his dog, say “that’s great Alex, tell me how this
goes along with our lesson about adding and subtracting whole numbers?” This is
one of the best ways to redirect students back to the topic without taking up too
much time.