How do teachers get students to stay involved?

Today in Mr. I’s class there was a student that kept putting his head down on the desk.  Mr. I asked him over and over again to keep his head up.  Finally, the student was sent to the nurse.  I did not understand at first why the student was sent to the nurse and not the vice principle, but then another student in the class explained it to me; they send students to the nurse to check them for drugs.  Sometimes I feel as if there is so much I do not know.  I know a lot about my subject but as far as “street smarts” . . . I am not so sure? 

I think there is so much I can learn from the students.  I need to understand knew ways of communication and knew methods of interaction.  What works for some students may not work for all students and I need to learn the most effective methods of communication possible.

Mr. I has moved on the lessons about the Middle East.  The students wee working on coloring and labeling maps and answering questions about this area.  They also received their scores on their European test back.  Some of the students did really well, but the students who did not do so well. . .really did not do well.  How can we motivate students to want to do the work?  What is going to get through to these students?

 I am glad for this opportunity to see different teachers in action and to have the opportunity to interact with these students.  These experiences are going to help me when I have my own classes!