Question: What’s Your Solution for Calm and Focused Students?

Managing the transition from energetic chatter to calm, focused attention is a crucial skill in the classroom. Some educators turn to structured routines to help calm and focus students—perhaps a few minutes of silent reading or journaling at the beginning of class. Others use mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing or guided meditation, to bring students' energy levels down and create a calm environment. Creative transitions can also be effective, like music, movement, or a quick game that ties into the lesson plan.

Every classroom is unique, and what works well to calm one group of students might not work for another. This is why we're reaching out to you, our community, to share your experiences and strategies. How do you manage those high-energy moments? What have you found effective to calm and focus students without dampening their enthusiasm? Have you developed any routines or activities that consistently help your students focus?

We'd love to hear about what’s worked for you and how those strategies have made a difference for your students. Your insights will provide valuable inspiration for others facing the same challenges.

Learning More About Classroom Management at Edutopia

For those who may be new here, Edutopia maintains a page dedicated entirely to Classroom Management. This resource is continuously updated with our latest articles and videos, offering practical tips and insights from educators like you. In addition, you may be interested in these stand-out articles: 5 Principles of Outstanding Classroom Management, How Novice and Expert Teachers Approach Classroom Management Differently, and 19 Ways to Help Elementary Students Self-Regulate. These pieces explore a number of strategies that can make a real difference in your classroom.

Finally, if you have any questions, feel free to ask them here. Our team of community facilitators is ready to support you and provide answers.