Writing a lesson plan for high school students with very low attention span can be challenging. In this case, it is essential to focus on engaging and interactive teaching methods that keep the students interested and actively involved in the learning process. In this article, we will discuss how to write an effective lesson plan for high school students with a low attention span, including an example and research-based strategies.
- Determine the learning objective:
The first step in developing a lesson plan is to determine the learning objective. A learning objective is a statement that describes what the students should know or be able to do by the end of the lesson. It is essential to make the learning objective clear and specific to help the students focus on what they need to learn.
Example: The learning objective for a lesson on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet could be “Students will be able to analyze the themes of love and hate in Romeo and Juliet and apply them to their own lives.”
- Consider the students’ interests:
To keep the students engaged, it is crucial to consider their interests when developing the lesson plan. Incorporating their interests into the lesson will help make it more relevant and relatable to them.
Example: If the students are interested in sports, the teacher could use examples of sports teams and athletes to illustrate the themes of competition and teamwork in Romeo and Juliet.
- Break the lesson into smaller parts:
It is challenging for students with low attention spans to focus on long lectures or activities. Breaking the lesson into smaller parts will make it easier for the students to focus and retain the information.
Example: The lesson on Romeo and Juliet could be broken down into smaller parts, such as a brief lecture on the history of the play, a group activity analyzing the characters, and a class discussion on the themes.
- Use multi-sensory teaching strategies:
Using multi-sensory teaching strategies can help students with low attention spans stay engaged in the lesson. Multi-sensory teaching strategies involve using multiple senses, such as sight, sound, touch, and smell, to engage the students in the learning process.
Example: In the lesson on Romeo and Juliet, the teacher could use visual aids, such as videos and images, to illustrate the characters and settings. They could also play audio clips of dramatic readings of the play and have the students act out scenes.
- Incorporate movement into the lesson:
Incorporating movement into the lesson can help students with low attention spans stay engaged and focused. Movement can help increase oxygen flow to the brain, which can improve concentration and focus.
Example: The teacher could have the students act out scenes from Romeo and Juliet or use a “tableau” activity where students create frozen scenes to illustrate the characters and settings.
- Provide frequent breaks:
Frequent breaks can help students with low attention spans stay focused and engaged in the lesson. Providing opportunities for students to take short breaks can help them recharge their focus and improve their ability to retain information.
Example: The teacher could schedule short five-minute breaks in between activities to allow the students to move around and recharge.
- Use positive reinforcement:
Positive reinforcement can help students with low attention spans stay motivated and engaged in the lesson. Praising students for their participation and effort can help build their confidence and encourage them to stay engaged.
Example: The teacher could give students stickers or small rewards for participating in class discussions and activities.
Research-Based Strategies:
Research has shown that there are several effective teaching strategies for students with low attention spans. One study found that incorporating movement and physical activity into the lesson improved students’ attention and focus (Wassermann, 2020). Another study found that using visual aids, such as images and videos, helped improve students’ comprehension and retention of information (Lomicka & Lord, 2020).
Research has also shown that breaking the lesson into smaller parts and providing frequent breaks can help students with low attention spans stay engaged and focused. In a study by Jensen (2005), students who had frequent breaks throughout the day showed significant improvements in attention and academic performance.
Additionally, using multi-sensory teaching strategies has also been found to be effective in engaging students with low attention spans. A study by Fitzpatrick and Pagani (2017) found that using multi-sensory teaching strategies, such as incorporating music and movement, helped improve students’ engagement and academic performance.
Positive reinforcement has also been found to be effective in motivating students with low attention spans. A study by Warden and St. Clair (2010) found that using positive reinforcement, such as praise and rewards, helped improve students’ engagement and academic performance.
Overall, incorporating a combination of these research-based strategies into the lesson plan can help improve engagement and academic performance for students with low attention spans.
Example Lesson Plan:
Topic: Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
Learning Objective: Students will be able to analyze the themes of love and hate in Romeo and Juliet and apply them to their own lives.
Introduction: (10 minutes)
- Start with a short video clip introducing the play and its themes.
- Use visual aids, such as images and videos, to illustrate the characters and settings.
Activity 1: (20 minutes)
- Divide the students into groups of four.
- Assign each group a scene from Romeo and Juliet.
- Have the students act out the scene, using movement and physical activity.
- Provide positive reinforcement, such as praise and stickers, for their participation and effort.
Break: (5 minutes)
Activity 2: (20 minutes)
- Have the students analyze the characters in their assigned scene, focusing on their motivations and emotions.
- Use visual aids, such as images and videos, to illustrate the characters.
- Provide frequent breaks in between activities to allow the students to recharge.
Activity 3: (20 minutes)
- Have the students discuss the themes of love and hate in Romeo and Juliet.
- Use multi-sensory teaching strategies, such as incorporating music and movement, to engage the students.
- Encourage the students to apply the themes to their own lives.
Conclusion: (5 minutes)
- Wrap up the lesson by summarizing the themes and discussing their relevance to the students’ lives.
- Provide positive reinforcement for their participation and effort.
Overall, the lesson plan incorporates a variety of research-based strategies, such as using visual aids, incorporating movement and physical activity, providing frequent breaks, and using positive reinforcement, to engage students with low attention spans.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, developing an effective lesson plan for high school students with low attention spans requires a combination of strategies that engage the students and make the lesson relevant to their interests and lives. Incorporating research-based strategies, such as using multi-sensory teaching methods, breaking the lesson into smaller parts, and providing frequent breaks, can help improve engagement and academic performance for students with low attention spans. The example lesson plan provided illustrates how these strategies can be incorporated into a lesson on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.