This study, sixth in a series of seven, was written by one third grade and one fourth grade teacher from different open plan schools. The instructional environments of each neighborhood, school, and classroom as well as the characteristics of the teachers and their pupils are described. The types of distractions encountered by the teachers are described and a discussion is presented on coping techniques used by the teachers and their comparative effectiveness. Included in the appendices are the distraction classification system, the coping technique classification system, a sample of the teacher's daily response form, a quantitative checklist, and samples of ethnographic notes. (JD)