TASKMINDER TAPE![[IMAGE]](audiocas.gif)
I am phasing out selling items on my website. I am a teacher, not a salesperson. Trying to sell things is not fun for me so I am discontinuing this service to my visitors.
This strategy works well as long as you don’t do it “all day, every day.” Remember, ADD/ADHD students (actually all students) like novelty. If you over use any strategy, it will
lose it’s effectiveness.
If you find yourself saying or thinking the following types of statements, this strategy is FOR YOU!!! ======
Get busy. Are you finished? Do you need help? (Child responds with “No.”) You’ll have to stay in at recess if this isn’t finished. You’re daydreaming again. Please finish this now.
The objective of this strategy is to calmly and without negative connotations, help students stay on task and work efficiently. I define “stay on task” as doing whatever is appropriate for a given period of time. I purposely set the time limit at 30 minutes as I feel this is the maximum time an elementary age child can reasonably be expected to stay on task. I have no research to back up this statement, the 30 minutes works for me. You might try other times for your students.
A rule of thumb I've used for years is -- most children can, on their own, be expected to stay on task for 5 minutes plus their age- for elementary age children. (I read these numbers somewhere, in some class in college and have found, in my experience, for it to be fairly accurate.) Example: A 6 year old first grader is doing very well if he/she can work for 11 minutes straight on a task. You might find, with the TASKMINDER TAPE, a child this age can work longer.
A typical 10 year old would last about 15 minutes before needing to be reminded to “keep busy” or getting distracted and having to “bring himself back to the task”. These numbers refer to individual, self-directed - independent classroom work such as -- silent reading, completing worksheets and workbook exercises, writing stories, etc.
(NOT NEW LEARNING)
The strategy
using a TASKMINDER TAPE works well for Homework too!
Here’s how it works.
Develop an audio tape that is thirty minutes long. Record intermittent soft sounds on the tape at irregular intervals.
I would suggest you use non-irritating sounds. My first tape was done with a buzzer as the sound. The buzzer drove the students and ME crazy. The first tape I made that we liked was with an electric piano. I played short “tunes” at different intervals. I
played sounds at random times from about 10 seconds between sounds to about 120.
The students frequently ask for this tape to be played. They seem to realize it helps them get their work completed.
IMPORTANT == Visit with your students to develop a definition of ON TASK BEHAVIOR. Lead them to understand === if you have to sharpen your pencil in the middle of an ON TASK TAPE, that is not on task behavior (students should have sharpened pencils available). Conversely, if they have their hand raised for help -- that IS on task behavior.
Mention that you expect the amount of work to “match” the tallies. If they have all ON TASK tallies, the work should be completed or close to it at the end of the tape. (See BE AWARE below)
Provide an on task sheet for students to record ON TASK and NOT ON TASK tally marks. The form
should also include the child’s name, assignment, and date -- sometimes,
I write the time of day of the TASKMINDER TAPE activity. It’s interesting
that some students are morning workers and others do better in the afternoon. This will help you make that determination if you think it’s an issue.
While the tape is playing, students work. Whenever they hear the stimulus tone, they put a tally in the proper section of the on task sheet. At the end of 30 minutes, pick up the sheets. If they’re working on a paper they will be turning in, staple it to the paper.
If students complain that the tones bother them, consider exempting that student from the activity and let him/her put on
head phones for the 30 minutes. Also, consider that some tones are quite bothersome and you might need to redo your tape with other sounds. The one I
used to sell has not “bothered” more than 2 students in the many years I’ve used it.
Consider taking a break after the TASKMINDER TASK tape has been used. Many students will need to stretch, wiggle around, talk a bit, etc. Use a timer and let them
“Take
Brain Break” for a few minutes.
Your ultimate
goal with this strategy is to be able to turn on the tape and have
it help students stay on task WITHOUT having them mark the tally marks on the record sheet. Just having the tones play will remind them to "stay on task."
BE AWARE!!
Students
WILL CHEAT on this. You need to expect it and caution all students (if you do this with a group) to only pay attention to their own record. What others mark is their business. Remember your purpose in using this strategy.
Students do not want to lose face with their peers. They will brag to each other about how many good tallies they have. Don’t burst their bubble when you first start this. If a child has all good marks and you know they cheated, just make a statement like, “You feel you were on task a lot during this activity, don’t you?”
That’s it, NO REPRIMANDS!!!
If a child continuously has many good tallies but is obviously not doing much, you need a private conference to discuss this problem.
WHAT IF?
What if a child refuses to mark the tallies. Don’t worry about it, the tones will still serve their purpose which is to help students work effectively without being distracted.
I NO LONGER SELL
THIS PRODUCT. YOU CAN FIND A SIMILAR ONE AT THE ADDWAREHOUSE. CLICK BELOW.
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CHOICES
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INTERNET users: You may copy and print this for your own use and freely distribute to others. You cannot sell this information. You cannot use this information on your own web site but feel free to provide a link here. Please include my email address & phone # on anything you copy and print for others. Thanks. BJ Madewell ADDchoices@yahoo.com
(316) 733-9532
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When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
DISCLAIMER
This information is for educational purposes only. Much of the information is from classes and workshops I've taken AND GIVEN during my 30+ years of working with ADD & ADHD students - sprinkled with my own comments, thoughts and insights.
Some information is acquired from the INTERNET. Be aware that not all information on the WWW is accurate. Use your own judgment. This information is not intended to replace information from your doctor, therapist, lawyer, psychologist, nutritionist or psychiatrist. Consult your child's (or your own) doctor for additional input.
Editor: BJ Madewell
Wichita, KS area
316-733-9532
FAX not available
Email ADDchoices@aol.com or ADDchoices@yahoo.com
