From buddy Thu Feb 23 12:17:27 1995
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 12:17:23
Subject: Getting attention in class... (especially for future teachers, denny?)


        Getting and keeping students' attention, particularly as the semester
 wears on, is always a problem.  I offer my colleagues the following method
 whereby I gain attention from the first moments of class, and regain it at
 any time during the year.
        Purchase one of those 'gourmet' candy canes from the stand most often
 found near the check-out counter of the grocery store.  It must be plain
 white, no colors, no stripes.  On the first day of class, break off an inch
 or so, peel off the cellophane, and head into the classroom with this candy
 hidden in your hand.  Proceed to the chalkboard and pick up a piece of chalk.
 Write your name on the board with the chalk, and as you finish, switch the
 chalk with the candy.  Turn around with the candy in place of the chalk, face
 the students, and while giving them an intense look of meaningfull
 concentration, place the candy in your mouth and chew.  The louder, the better
        During the next several minutes, it will occur to them that you have
 just eaten your chalk.  As the recognition crosses their faces, you may at
 this time make note of the relative speed of cognition in this crop of
 students. Or, simply watch the facial contortions for your own amusement.
        As the semester progresses, and attention wavers, you may from time to
 time stop in mid-sentence, walk to the board, grab a piece of chalk, and
 consider it closely for several seconds.  You will have regained the full
 attention of the entire class.