Connect students directly to the concept in a personal way. Capture students' attention by initiating a group problem-solving activity before delivery of instruction. Begin with a situation that is familiar to students and builds on what they already know. Construct a learning experience that allows diverse and personal student responses. Facilitate the work of cooperative teams of students.

Experience displacement

Overview: Why is this happening to me? This activity is designed to help students experience displacement and how they adapt to it.

Activity: While the students are at recess, dump all the things out of their desks and turn the desks and chairs over. When the students return they will be told to ask no questions, pick up as much as can be carried, and go out the door to the end of the ball field and place it in a pile. As soon as they have done that, they will be told to pick everything back up and take it and put it back in their desks. (Make sure you have an assistant available who can take any student who acts overly upset about this activity aside.)

Assessment: Were the students able to engage emotionally in the activity?