Gaining Attention - 1
Lesson Plan
Goal: In an instructional setting (in school or virtual learning session), the student will use positive strategies learned to gain attention from peers/adults in 8 out of 10 observable opportunities, as measured by a teacher assessment tool.
Objectives:
1. Raise a hand (or other appropriate physical cues) to gain attention and wait to be called on.
2. Use pre planned/learned visual cues (such as color coded note cards or cups, sticky note displayed on desk, etc.) created by the student and teacher.
3. Use positive words or phrases with peers and adults to gain attention.
Standards: Click on the appropriate link below to view Language Arts standards included in this lesson.
Definition of Key Terms: Gaining attention means to let someone know that you want them to pay attention to you. Getting someone’s attention is important because it lets them know you are trying to talk to them.
Discussion Points
- Say “Excuse me”
- Call out someone’s name
- Tap a person, gently, on the shoulder
- Look at someone
- Use a communication device to say “I need you”, “Help me” or “Can I tell you something?”
There are some things you can do to get someone’s attention. There are also phrases you can say to get the attention of others. You can:
Discuss with students what it means to gain attention. Review the discussion point questions.
- The group should form a circle. Ask a question and allow students to toss a bean bag to those who would like to answer the question.
- Play tic-tac-toe by dividing the group into teams. Write discussion questions on a post-it note and place them on the tic-tac-toe grid. Allow a representative from the team to select a post-it note and as a team develop an answer to the question. If they get it right they may put their team's marker (x or o) on the grid.
Possible activities to review the discussion point:
Directions for In-Person or Virtual Learning: You have three options for students to complete this lesson.
- Option 1: Print the Student Activity Sheet for each student. Complete the lesson as a group and assign the activity sheet to the students.
- Option 2: Click the Student link to access the activity sheet electronically and post to your Learning Management System (if your school has one) or send the link to the student. The student may complete the activity sheet electronically within the classroom on a shared computer or device.
- Option 3: Click the Student link to access the activity sheet electronically and send the link to the student. The student may access the link from a home computer, chromebook, iPad or other device.
Activity 1: Gaining Attention
Discuss the different ways students gain attention from peers, classmates, friends, parents and/or teachers. Ask them to decide if all the ways shared are positive or if some are negative. Use Student Activity Sheet A to review specific situations and words/phrases used with students. Be sure to discuss possible reasons to gain someone's attention.
- Student Activity Sheet A - 1 per student, group, or project for whole class
Student Activity Sheet A
Directions: Below are some of the reasons you would gain a person’s attention. Discuss with group or class each situation.
Activity 2: Situations
Review key points from Activity 1 with the students. Using the situations from Activity 1 or ones you have created on your own, pair students to role play some. Be sure to have a discussion after each situation/role play. Have students rate the role play as a positive or a negative way to gain attention.
- Student Activity Sheet B - 1 per student
- Pencil for each student
- Chart Paper or Interactive Board
Ask students to complete Student Activity Sheet B. Discuss their answers altogether when finished.
Ask students to think about a non-verbal way to gain someone’s attention. Record answers on chart paper or the board. Ask students to choose one that they would like to try. Be sure to follow through and gather any items they may need on their desk for the non-verbal way they chose.
Student Activity Sheet B
Directions: Check or circle the best choice for each situation presented below.
1. You should shout and say, “Hey you! Listen to me!” to get someone’s attention.
2. You should gently tap on someone’s shoulder to get their attention.
3. You should scream and break things to get the attention of others.
4. You should say, “Excuse me?” to get someone’s attention.
5. You should yell and hit to gain someone’s attention.
6. You should throw things to get someone’s attention.
Activity 3: Comic Strip Worksheet
Review the key points from Activities 1 and 2 with students. Ask students to share positive and negative ways to gain someone’s attention. Record answers on chart paper or the board.
Ask students to complete Student Activity Sheet C. Discuss their answers when all have finished.
- Student Activity Sheet C - 1 per student
- Pencil for each student
- Chart Paper or Interactive Board
Student Activity Sheet C
Directions: Look at the comic strip below. Circle or check the comic that shows the characters gaining the attention of others in a positive way.
Lesson Extension: Listening Comprehension
Explain that a script is a form of dialogue writing between characters in a movie, play, or broadcast. Utilizing the immersive reader students should listen carefully as the teacher plays the example scripts below. Replay the script if needed. Allow students time to answer the questions on Student Activity Sheet D.
- Student Activity Sheet D - 1 per student
- Pencil for each student
After students have finished, allow those that want to share their comic do so or role play one of the example scripts. If time allows students may partner together and role play the script.
Example script of demonstrating gaining attention appropriately:
Jim: Excuse me, Mike?
Mike: Yes Jim? Do you need something?
Jim: Yes. Can I use that marker?
Mike: Sure! Here you go!
Read Aloud Recommendations: Completing a read aloud with students is a great way to connect text with lesson content while incorporating reading and language practice. Below are suggested titles including, a YouTube link, Lexile and Grade Level information for books relating to the lesson.
| Book Title | Author | Grade Level | Lexile Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interrupting Chicken | David Ezra Stein | Pre K-1 | AD510L |
| Croc Needs to Wait: A Book About Patience | Sue Graves | Pre K | AD560L |
| Let Me Finish! | Minh Lè | 1-2 | AD450L |
Student Activity Sheet D
Directions: Draw a comic to match the script you listened to.
Application Activity
In small groups, have the students create scripts demonstrating how to appropriately gain attention and how to gain attention in a negative way. Use the script sheet to assist the groups in creating scripts.
- Script sheet for each group
- Pencil for each student
Have students record their scripts using the SiLAS software. Remind students to name and save their recordings. Premiere the movies with the group members at the end of each session.
Script Extensions:
Click the following hyperlinks to have students choose their Characters, Background and Props prior to writing scripts. For examples of script writing accommodations, click Here.
Ideas for modifying this activity based on your students’ needs:
- create a script as a class
- pair or group students so that skill levels are varied and assign each a role or task that uses their skill
- create the script by recording the dialog with a phone or other recording device.
Example script of demonstrating gaining attention appropriately:
Jim: Excuse me, Mike?
Mike: Yes Jim? Do you need something?
Jim:Yes. Can I use that marker?
Mike: Sure! Here you go!
This is an example of an inappropriate script on gaining attention:
Jim: Hey! You!
Mike: Me?
Jim: Give me that truck!
Mike: Okay?
Topic Checkout
Review key points from previous activities. Ask students to complete the Student Topic Checkout. Discuss their answers when all have finished.
- Student Topic Checkout - 1 per student
- Pencil for each student
Student Topic Checkout
Directions: Complete the following questions.
1. List four ways you can appropriately gain the attention of other people.
2. Is it okay to tap a person on the shoulder if you need to get a person’s attention?
3. You should shout in someone’s face when you need to get a person’s attention.
4. Is it important to “wait” sometimes when you need to get a person’s attention?