Show Me – Tell Me More!

Show Me – Tell Me More! is an APPROACH to any activity that can help children expand their attention spans.

Hi and welcome back to Attentionology for K – 5 Teachers!

Check out this Short Shot…

a one and done idea to improve your students or campers ability to stay focused and on task…

understanding that whether an activity is fun, functional, or both, it’s best done with focus.

Short Shot: Show Me – Tell Me More! 

Use this Short Shot to help children grow their attention spans.

Show Me – Tell Me More! is an APPROACH that fits any activity involving work or play.

Simply stated, this approach involves asking kids to expand on what they have already done or are presenting.

Use this kid-friendly approach for…

Story Circle – Show Me – Tell Me More! Let’s say that you have invited a group of kids to help make up a story with you in a

“The story we are making up together reminds me of this special tale. Let’s keep the story going strong!”

story circle.

As you lead the round robin storytelling time, ask each child who participates in telling the story to…tell you more.

Make a game of it.

Use a dramatic voice with the words, “and then…and then…and then…please tell us more. Let’s keep the story going strong!”

Story Writing Club Time – Show Me – Tell Me More! Students who are challenged by writing often rush through their work and consider a story done when it has only just begun.

As you review each child’s writing, point out parts of his/her story that can be developed through the attention-expanding activity called elaboration.

If club time is limited, teach the concept of sustaining concentration by encouraging kids to think about details that they can add to their writing when your Story Writing Club meets again.

Stretch Out the Game Play – Show Me More! – If you work with children who you think are too quick to call themselves “pros” at a game they have learned to play, put the brakes on their self-assessment by challenging them to show you more.

Begin by praising what they do show. Then, throw out a challenge with words like, “That was great, but have you tried this play. Let me demonstrate, and then you can show me more!”

Use the arts as part of a learning process that helps children grow their attention spans.

Paint Me a Bigger, Brighter, Richer Picture – Show Me More! – Inviting kids to draw and color pictures is an activity that never needs to be limited to art class.

Integrating visual arts with other subjects helps children’s comprehension of concepts and mastery of skills.

Help children who rush through art activities learn to grow their attention spans.

Admire the drawing/coloring/painting that they have started. Then point to a section of the art work and suggest what else they might add to create a bigger, brighter, richer picture. “I like your drawing, but I wish that you would show me more!”

Time In – Not Out – Asking kids to expand on what they have already done or are presenting obviously requires teachers to allow more time for any activity using the approach, Show Me – Tell Me More!

The very fact that most of us spend every day with a sense that we are short on time speaks to the fact that attention spans seem to be shrinking.

Planning ways to help kids grow their attention spans requires just that…planning.

Ideas for classroom/camp management and instructional support are only effective if they suit your plans.

Short Shots are here to help. Please send comments.

Remember, you don’t need to be a magician to work magic in any instructional setting!

Talk with you again soon,

Barbara ♥ The Lovable Poet

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Posted in Attentionology for K-5 Teachers
Barbara Cleary has been serving as a resource to hundreds of educators for more than 25 years. An award-winning writer, producer, teacher, and trainer, Barbara’s focus is on offering easy, fun tools and tricks that support K-5 curricula and assist teachers with classroom management.
Quick tips for common classroom conundrums: K-5
Situation: Young students are getting noisy while you’re trying to teach.

Solution: Hold up "Listen Star," a toy magic wand that you’ve designated to be a cue for quiet. Tell the class, "When you see our friend, 'Listen Star' dance across the classroom sky, that’s your signal to HUSH for a moment."

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