Focusing

This is a term which I invented myself. This approach differs from a transition activity in that the former activity is a distraction created by the students.

I once had a recorder class of four- to seven-year-old children that met in a room with full-length mirrors. One day, the children became fascinated with looking at themselves in the mirror and saying, "Ga ga goo goo." I knew they would rebel if I tried to make them stop the pastime altogether, so I said, "Let's come over to the table and play Ga Ga Goo Goo on the recorder." Whereupon I directed the children in a spur-of-the-moment setting of those four syllables.

I guess another good name for this technique would be the if-you-can't-lick-'em-join-'em technique.

Can you think of any other focusing techniques? Or would you like to comment on the ones in this article? Then log into the discussion page!

Thanks to The Honor Level System for suggesting this topic.

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