Edition #10: Managing Our Attention
Originally published on Monday, September 30, 2024
This past summer, I had an opportunity to attend the Science of Teaching and School Leadership Academy at St. Andrew’s, which broadly focuses on the relationship between Mind Brain Education (MBE) and teaching. I was particularly excited because one of the keynote speakers was Jennifer Gonzalez from the Cult of Pedagogy, who used her time to discuss the importance of deep work (or flow state) when it comes to learning…
…and how it’s rapidly disappearing from schools.
I’ve been turning this idea over in my head in the months since, particularly as it relates to our collective ability (or inability) to sustain attention on a single task over time. Of course, there is the very real challenge of finding large enough chunks of time to focus in the first place (an increasing rarity). And then there are all the other distractions that are constantly trying to pull us away from whatever task is at hand: phone notifications, emails, interruptions from colleagues, text messages – you name it.
And if this is true for us, it’s DEFINITELY true for our students. With that in mind, I want to use this week’s newsletter to highlight some of the current research around attention management, as well as what we can do as educators to strengthen our ability to focus. Time to lock in!
This Edition’s Spotlight: Managing Our Attention
Great overview of what multitasking is (or, rather, why it’s not real) and how the current world is making it harder to focus: “Multitasking Doesn’t Work. So Why Do We Keep Trying?” Freakonomics (September 4, 2024)
Try This: If you aren’t familiar with the Pomodoro Technique, this can be a great strategy to use with students (and ourselves) to help manage attention
A practical strategy for increasing (and sustaining) engagement: Miriam Plotinsky, “The Power of Habit Stacking,” ASCD (September 24, 2024)
Interesting look at how helicopter parenting impacts children’s attention span: Darby Saxbe, “Parents Should Ignore Their Children More Often,” The New York Times (September 15, 2024)
Other Things in the Ether…
MUST READ piece that is chalk full of practical steps schools and administrators can take to support teachers’ interactions with parents: Crystal Frommert, “Communicating with Parents: How School Leaders Can Best Support Teachers,” Independent School (Fall 2024)
How routine and structure can help schools navigate challenging moments: Alex Shevrin Venet, “Creating Communities of Support for Staff and Students,” Edutopia (September 23, 2024)
I have long been obsessed with Casco Bay High School and this is another reason why: “Tackling Difficult Issues With Courageous Conversations,” Edutopia (September 25, 2024)
Upcoming Local PD…
October 9: DCPZ is hosting “Beyond WISSIT” at the Washington International School*
October 15 and Beyond: ISEEN Affinity Groups
November 7 - December 12: “Brave Classrooms: Taking on Antisemitism in Schools,” mini-course from Facing History and Ourselves