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- Hungry Students Can’t Learn: Scenarios Target Metrics Don’t Take Into Account
Hungry Students Can’t Learn: Scenarios Target Metrics Don’t Take Into Account
5 tactics to meet daily needs and metric targets
Read Time: 3 minutes and 4 seconds
As educators, we know that the scope of teaching goes far beyond curriculum. Meeting the daily needs of students and ensuring their well-being is a huge part of the role. Still, we have target metrics that we are expected to meet.
Often, the data behind these metrics doesn’t take outside factors into account — such as mental health, family emergencies, absences, or even just a bad day.
The disconnect between data and the realities of the classroom is well-known, and it’s up to educators to make the balancing act work.
Today, we’re sharing 5 ways to better balance meeting student’s needs and hitting performance targets. Not surprisingly, the two go hand-in-hand more often than not. With these dedicated tactics, educators can make sure their students are doing well (and that the metrics reflect that).
Start the class with a “Wellness Check”
Building a platform for open communication without fear of judgment is crucial.
It starts with a dedicated system — such as having students individually select an Emoji of the Day, building a Wellness Word Cloud, or selecting Color Cards at the beginning of class.
Simple, low-stakes initiatives like these can:
Help educators efficiently gauge the vibe of the classroom
Enhance students’ emotional awareness
Promote open communication with both educators and students
Support student’s well-being
Help educators identify patterns
Build empathy with students
When students feel seen and supported emotionally, they are more likely to succeed.
Snack and Water Breaks
Even with older students, productivity may require a little fuel.
On test days, right before a lunch period, at the end of the day — students may need an extra boost.
Hunger negatively affects academic performance in a dramatic fashion. 80% of teachers have noticed the impact of hunger on concentration. 76% have identified hunger as a major factor in decreasing academic achievement. 62% believe hunger was a major cause of behavioral issues.
Solving hunger in the classroom can be as simple as encouraging students to bring a snack to class and keeping a stash of granola bars, fruit, and water bottles.
A 5-minute break in class to have a quick snack can increase students’ concentration and productivity exponentially — making metrics soar.
Plan for Restorative Moments
Mindfulness activities, short breathing exercises, or even simple brain breaks can (and should) be incorporated into lesson plans. These aren’t just great opportunities for stress relief — they can also boost attention and engagement!
These mindfulness techniques can turn moments of meltdowns into opportunities for teachers to learn more about their students and how to better support them.
Leverage Community Support
Reach out to school counselors and local community groups to address bigger problems, such as mental health concerns and food insecurity.
1 in 5 kids rely on their school’s free and reduced-price meal program to provide the nourishment they need to learn and grow. But what happens when the kids leave school on Friday? Organizations such as Blessings in a Backpack are designed to help students tackle food insecurity concerns outside of school.
Within your classroom, you can create an atmosphere of helping and accepting help through tools such as a “Give One, Take One” station. Here, students can donate snacks and take what they want or need.
Staying Flexible
If a student is struggling at school with burnout, or having trouble at home — remain open and flexible with deadlines and assessments. An extension, rescheduling, or retake could make a major difference in the outcome and foster further success instead of worsened stress.
Bottom Line: Meeting students' basic needs isn't just the “right thing to do.” It can actually drive better academic results. Your classroom can be a space where performance thrives because students feel seen, supported, and set up to succeed.
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