Touch/Contact Student On Shoulder

Why should I do it:

• Provides quick and easy way to redirect off task students, misbehaviors, talking, etc
• Does not disrupt the instruction
• Increases student attention and focus
• Effective non-verbal cue
• Can help break and reset a student’s cycle of thinking or dysfunctional coping/processing

When should I do it:

• When a student is off task, talking, misbehaving, goofing around, staring, sleeping, inattentive, etc
• When a student seems overwhelmed, lost, confused, etc

How do I do it:

• When a student is off task, inattentive, misbehaving, goofing around, etc, walk by the student and tap them on the should, arm, or hand to get their attention
• You do not need to stop instruction or the task at hand, just tap the student while you are instructing or other students are participating, perhaps giving the student a “look” when you get their attention after the tap
• You could also tap the students desk to get their attention
• If a student seems to need assistance, tap them and then ask if they are okay, need help on an item, or need to get a drink, etc