My ds9 has been known to cover his desk with drawings. The teacher didn't mind at first but it did get a bit out of hand, so I sent in a notebook. At first I thought this was reasonable, then I worried it would be offensive, then I found out she was ok with it, and I think it helped.
This might take a bit of chatting with the teacher about, but doodling has been shown to keep a mind just available for collecting the important new bits of a lecture, and that people pick up more, not less, if they are allowed to doodle.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7912671.stmWe just found these little sticks at a restaurant, which I think are pretty cool, 'wikki stix', they are bit of thread covered in slightly sticky wax, a couple of sticks might go all day, making different shapes, etc. Ds9 really likes them and made a bunch of little star wars fighters (tie-fighter, x-wing,etc). I think you can buy them online. Seems like it would be comparable to doodling, again if the teacher is willing...
ps, the tangle toys look really cool St. Pauli!
