How can teachers remove distractions in the classroom? Cell phones, smells, temperature, noisy interruptions, and outdoor activities are all different types of distractions affecting students and their learning every day. These tips will help teachers enhance their students' focus by eliminating some of these distractions.

1. How Can I Remove Distractions
In The Classroom?
And Help My Students Focus?

2. Classroom Distractions
• Cell Phones
• Smells
• Clothing/Jewelry
• Gathering Supplies
• Wandering Students
• Temperature
• Office Interruptions
• Noisy Chairs/Desks
• Outdoor & Hall Distractions

3. Cell Phones
Do you have a Cell Phone Policy for you classroom? If
No, make one and it should look similar to the
following: Cell Phones Will Be Silent (or turned off)
During Class. Cell Phones Will Not Be Visible During
Class. This Includes The Teacher.

4. Smells
The Good & The Bad: Encourage Good
Hygiene, As Well Wear A Minimal Amount
Of Perfume or Cologne. Encourage Your
Students To Do The Same.

5. Clothes/Jewelry
Avoid Clothing That Alerts Someone Of Your Arrival,
Squeaky Shoes, Clanging Earrings, And So Forth.
Enforce Your Schools Clothing Policies. Short & Tight
Clothing Can Be Quite Distracting For Teenage Boys.
Dress Professionally As Well, Lead By Example.

6. Gathering Supplies
Prepare Ahead Of Time, And Communicate
With Your Students The Expected Way To
Collect Supplies For The Project They Are
Assigned. Same Goes For Pencil Sharpening
And Garbage Disposal.

7. The Wandering Student(s)
Be Clear With Your Students. Explain To Them
How Class Time Should Be Spent, Especially
When Students Will Be Working On
Assignments In Groups. Crack Down When
Needed, By Reinforcing Your Expectations.

8. Temperature Control
If You Do Not Have Access To The
Temperature Control Settings, Bring In A
Fan And Encourage Students To Bring
(or wear) A Jacket.

9. Office Interruptions
Ask The Office To Email You Instead Of Calling, And Ask
Them To Place Notes On Your Desk So You Can Address
It At An Appropriate Time During Class.
Set This Expectation With Your Students As Well, To
Limit The Distraction.

10. Noisy Chairs & Desks
Inform The Maintenance Stuff Or Office Administrators Of The Issue.
Create A Temporary Solution If You Can.
Examples:
•If You Have An Empty Desk, Have The Student Move To The Empty Desk.
•Use Some Tennis Balls As The Feet On The Chair Or Desk By Cutting Out Holes
And Placing Them The End Of Each Leg.

11. Outdoor (Windows) & Hall
Distractions
Are There Activities Taking Place Outside Your Windows Or
In The Hall? Close The Blinds When Other Students Are
Eating Their Lunch Or Participating In An Activity Outside
Your Classroom.
Close The Door During Class Time To Eliminate Any
Wondering Noises Or Active Students In The Hall.