The Power of Time

Do you have students who struggle to finish their work on time?  Every year I seem to have two or three who can’t seem to stay focused long enough to complete assignments.  Consequently, their work gets backed up with no end in sight.

Several years back I discovered (quite by accident) a great tool for getting these tasks accomplished with no leftover work at the end of the day.  This magic tool is a simple kitchen timer.  After I teach a lesson and give out an assignment I make sure my instructions are clear and that everyone understands what is required.  I do not immediately start the timer.  After I feel the students have had an adequate amount of time to finish the assignment, I ask, “How many people are still working?”  If several people raise their hands I know I’ve misjudged the amount of time needed and give a few more minutes.  Then I ask the question again.  At this point I usually only have two or three students still working.  I count the raised hands aloud so the students can hear me.  Then I set the timer for that number of minutes (2 students = 2 minutes).  I say “I’m setting the timer for two more minutes.  Please let me see your progress when the timer rings.”  This usually helps them focus and get the task accomplished.  Occasionally there will be a student who still won’t finish when the timer sounds but are almost finished.  In that case, I will set the timer for one or two more minutes to help them.

Here are a few other pointers to help get the work completed.

*Papers with many math problems give students with attention issues a feeling of instant defeat.  If at all possible give fewer problems.  Twenty problems are much easier to finish than 50 or 100 and you still accomplish the same goal.

*If it isn’t possible to reduce the number of problems, draw lines and separate the problems into groups of ten.  Have the students try to complete one group before the timer sounds.  They like the motivation of short term goals.

*Never let a student start the day behind on classwork.  This worsens the problem and, once again, makes them feel defeated.

*Consider using less paperwork and more hands-on work with manipulatives and centers.  Students benefit in so many more ways than by just sitting at a desk or table doing worksheets.

Once the teacher gets this system down it becomes routine and the attention struggles of the day tend to work out.  It has been several years since I had a student not finish work in my class.

I hope this method works for you and your students as well!