• Assign computers: Consider arranging students girl-boy-girl-boy with plenty of space inbetween to discourage talking. Separate known friends or those in conflict.
• Wear Headsets: Require that students wear headsets. Listening to several computers speaking at one time is highly distracting. Headsets helps students focus on their own work and ignore outside distractions..
• Set Rules: Discuss your rules regarding no talking or disturbing others and have a plan on how to intervene should a student insist on disturbing others. For example, have them write an apology letter to the teacher and their parents for wasting valuable teaching time.
• Enforce Rules: Be consistent when enforcing your rules and do not ignore rule breakers. You must act immediately and consistently.
• Bathroom Breaks: Have a plan for students to use the restroom before coming to the afterschool classroom so they do not have to leave the room during the program.

• Students Requesting Help: Have a method for students to ask for assistance without having to yell out your name. Plastic cups with red and green squares glued to the outside can be placed next to each student or computer. When a student needs help, they turn the cup so the red square is on top and place it on top of their computer monitor. The green square up means "I'm okay and do not need help." Another variation is to have a help message glued to a popsicle stick which has velcro on the opposite end. There would be a velcro circle on the computer where the student can attach the stick if they need assistance.

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