Hi Penny: You know, they say TV commericials are louder than the regular TV programming being watched. I believe that's true. They do it to get your attention. Anyway, same thing in the classroom. I don't mean we need to be louder (although that's something that can snap students out of their zone-out), but activities that break up the fade out students may be experiencng can be relatively simple and subtle. A sudden joke or story, a "clap" of the hands, asking a question, changing media - many kinds of change-ups that refocus students. Regards, Barry