Hi Edward, I think there can be different kinds of off-task. You describe the overwhelmed student, and your advice to communicate and give direction to ease some of the stress is good advice. Another kind of off-task is students have lost focus during a class. Common reasons are they are ill, bored, unprepared, don't understand, or distracted by thoughts of...whatever. In this instance, getting on task may require asking questions, having them explain a segment of the lesson, or when needed, change activities to give their mind a break. Barry Westling