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I use music in the background; if I stop the music, it means that they should be quiet and pay attention. VARGAS

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I use music in the background; if I stop the music, it means that they should be quiet and pay attention. VARGAS

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Find an item, like a hat or glasses, to put on when you need students to focus on you. Use a quiet instrument, such as a triangle, wind chime, drum, or sound block.Feb 24, 2020

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Find an item, like a hat or glasses, to put on when you need students to focus on you. Use a quiet instrument, such as a triangle, wind chime, drum, or sound block.Feb 24, 2020

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A while back I asked my Facebook followers to share their favorite attention signals. They were, of course, awesome and shared a bunch of them. There are so many really great ideas that I decided to post them here for more teachers to see. I hope you find something you can use with your students!
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I like 'eyes up' and the students repeat it back to you! -Kristin Spade

When I say, 'Class, class,' the kids respond, 'Yes, yes?' However I say it, they have to say it back the same way. High-pitched, sing-song, zombie voice, in a rap, whatever. I mix it up every day to keep it interesting! (from Whole Brain Teaching) -Dallas Anne Thomspon

I use aboriginal clapping sticks and play a rhythm that they have to repeat. -Kristie Griffiths

‎'3-2-1′ or I use a timer -Danielle Miller

Whole Brain Teaching has some great strategies. Google 'Class Yes' for some ideas I use often via WBT. -Karen Keaton

I clap a pattern, and the students repeat the clap back to me. -Wolfelicious

I say 'Freeze, please!' and everyone has to put their hand up, be silent, and give our quiet signal (school abbreviation "AACL" in sign language). - Teresa Brown

I got this idea after reading the Chugga Chugga Choo Choo book: I say, 'Chugga chugga,' and the class says, 'Choo choo.' Then I say, 'Whistle blowing,' and they say, 'Whoo-whoo.' -Erika Hansing Gentry

I have a word for the day or week. When they hear it they know to give attention to me. The word matches a holiday or something w are learning (i.e. groundhog, butterfly). -Bethany Thornton

I have heard a teacher say, 'Apple,' and the kids freeze and say, 'Sauce.' I have also used, '1, 2, 3...eyes on me!' The kids would respond with, '1, 2...eyes on you!' -Rachael N. Duke

One that works at my school is saying, 'Match me' while patting your head, then 'Match me' while tapping your ears, then 'Match me' while placing a finger over your lips in silence. Our P.E. teacher uses it all the time, and the kids love it. -Bessie Dietrich Goggins

I say, 'Hands on top,' and students put their hands on their head and say, 'That means stop.' Or I say, 'Peanut butter,' and they say, 'Jelly,' and then we all clap our hands together and say, 'Sandwich.' -Amy Angle-Greiner

I use lots of different ones. Clapping patterns that they have to repeat back to me; the whole brain 'Class Yes' response that has already been mentioned. I use pairs of things that go together: I say, 'Peanut butter;' they say, 'Jam.' I say, '1,2,3 - eyes on me,' and they reply, '1,2 - eyes on you!' I say, 'Look like a scholar,' and they clap their hands twice, fold them on their desk, sit still, and look at me. I ask them to show me the fab five, and they stop talking, sit still, cross their hands, look at me, and listen. We have talked about what good listening looks like and sounds like, so I will ask them to show me now what good listening looks like and sounds like. -Karen Dunning

I say, 'Hey! Hey! Listen up! Listen up!' and the students who hear me repeat the chant. If the students didn't hear me say it, then they usually hear the other students say it. I then say it again, and the students repeat again. The class knows that this means to freeze and listen. It works very well. I've used it during assemblies, and it gets the attention of all the students...mine or not. -Jodi Ruiz

I count down '5-4-3-2-1' while holding up my hand and counting down with my fingers. I start loud on 5 and lower my voice as students start listening. I can vary the speed based on how quickly I need their attention. -Caitlin Varley

Teacher: 'Macaroni and cheese!' / Students: 'Everybody freeze!'
Teacher: 'Chicka chicka!' / Students: 'Boom boom!'
Teacher: 'Red Robinnnn!' / Students: 'Yummmm.'
Teacher: 'Ba da ba ba ba!' / Students: 'I'm lovin it.'
Teacher: 'Ready to rock!' / Students: 'Ready to roll!'
Just to name a few. I make sure and set clear expectations that they have to freeze and put their eyes on me for further directions. The kids love it and it works like a charm!-Meghan Kroupa

Many of these above plus: ringing a bell and they freeze; a sing-song echo, 'Stop, look and listen!' and they repeat; doing actions while saying, 'If you're listening to me, touch your nose' (ear, etc.); action combinations (e.g. touch one hand). -Melissa Lord

I use a lot of the ones above, mostly the whole brain teaching 'Class, class / yes, yes.' But my students' favorite is probably when I say, 'Tootsie Roll, Lollipop,' and they say, 'We've been talking; now let's stop.' It took a little practice, but my fourth graders love it! -Meghan Rackley

I scream, 'QUIET! YOU'RE DRIVING ME CRAZY!' ...Only kidding. One more idea: At school assemblies, our principal shouts out, 'BELUGA!' The students clap their hands and arc them out (like a whale's water spout) while saying, 'Pssshhhh!' -Erika Hansing Gentry

One that's funny for a one time use is, 'All the smart people look at me.' 🙂 An adult did that once at a presentation, 'All the good looking people look at me.' -Susan Graham

Got more to add? Please tell us with a comment!

* Minds in Bloom, Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon properties including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com.

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Attention Signal Ideas! - Minds in Bloom

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A while back I asked my Facebook followers to share their favorite attention signals. They were, of course, awesome and shared a bunch of them. There are so many really great ideas that I decided to post them here for more teachers to see. I hope you find something you can use with your students!

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Get a gong: students have to be silent by the time the sound stops

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Get a gong: students have to be silent by the time the sound stops

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Refocus activity stand up, take a deep breath sit down - younger

Silent presence at the board - usually kids will be silent

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These visual and audio cues can help middle and high school teachers quickly get students back on track.

For many new teachers, classroom management can be one of the biggest obstacles to achieving success.

Without a toolbox of strategies to get students' attention, raising your voice may feel like the only option when students are engaged in a loud activity or simply not meeting expectations. To avoid creating a negative classroom culture, which ultimately impedes learning, new teachers, or teachers facing new circumstances in this less than ideal school year, can employ these attention-getters.

For each of the attention-getters below, it's important to explicitly teach students what your expectations are for how they should respond. For older students, it will likely take only a few minutes for you to demonstrate the attention-getter and share your expectations-voices are off, eyes are on the board, etc.

7 Effective Attention-Getters

1. The Clap-In (or Snap-In): The clap-in is a classic attention-getter for good reason! While many teachers resort to raising their voices when the classroom gets too loud, clapping provides an equally noticeable but far more positive way to get students' attention. To use a clap-in, simply pick a pattern to clap and have students repeat it back. As more students join in, the clap gets spread across the room until all students are participating in the clap and ending their conversations.

There are a few ways to make this more interesting for students. One option is starting with a clap and switching to snaps. This requires students to be even quieter to be able to hear the pattern you snap and then repeat it. You can also select a student to lead the clap-in or snap-in to build further investment in the attention-getter. Finally, rather than making up your own pattern, you can work with your students to design a unique clap-in or snap-in pattern for your class.

2. Give Me Five: This is a great option that not only helps bring students' attention back to you but also provides an opportunity for them to work together to get everyone back on track. For this attention-getter, raise your hand high so that students can see you. As each student sees the signal, they will also raise their hand. This will continue to spread until all students are silently raising their hands and looking to you for further directions.

To make this more exciting, I have timed my students to see how long it takes for everyone to raise their hand and then challenged them to beat their time. This has been a very efficient way to get the attention of all students without even using my voice at all.

3. Class-Wide Countdown: This strategy is similar to Give Me Five, as it has a cascade effect across the classroom when students join in to bring their attention back to the teacher.

To employ this strategy, the teacher begins a countdown, generally from 10, but teachers can make adjustments as needed for their individual groups; and as students hear the countdown, they join in until all students are participating. Once the entire class reaches zero, all students are silent and have their attention back on the teacher.

4. Call-and-Response: Using a call-and-response is another easy way to get students' attention, as they will have to not only listen to join in but also stop any side conversations in order to provide the accurate response. This attention-getter provides lots of room for creativity that both teachers and students can use to make the calls-and-responses best suited for them.

It's beneficial to involve students in the process of creating these calls-and-responses and then practice how they sound and what students are expected to do when they hear them-similar to the Clap/Snap-In.

5. Timer/Song: This strategy uses other sounds rather than a teacher's voice to get attention and relies on a specific timed activity.

I use this strategy if I have given my students a group or partner task to complete for a specific amount of time. When they start, I begin the timer or song (instrumental works best!), and by the time the timer or song goes off, students are expected to end their conversations and return their attention to me. The timer works best for potentially louder group activities, while the song is a great option for a slightly quieter partner activity.

6. Hit the Lights: This strategy is one I use only when I need student attention immediately back up front on me. Just like the theater signal that a performance is about to begin, a quick flash of the lights can alert students that something is about to happen. I explicitly explain to them that a quick flash of the lights means that they need to turn off their voices and track me.

I often use this strategy if students are working in groups and I only need to remind them of one quick piece of information but plan to let them return to working at their previous noise level.

7. Sound Effects: This strategy can be a more fun way to get student attention but one that must be explicitly taught so that students can be mature and meet expectations when it's used.

For this strategy, the teacher should identify a sound-I like to use this one -that will quickly get student attention and play the sound when needed. My students know that when they hear the sound, they are expected to be in their seats, silently tracking me for directions.

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7 Attention-Getters to Use Instead of Raising Your Voice

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These visual and audio cues can help middle and high school teachers quickly get students back on track.

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Teacher: Alright stop. Students: collaborate and listen

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Teacher: Alright stop. Students: collaborate and listen

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In a whisper tone: “If you can hear me, raise your hand.” “If you can hear me, clap your hands.” “If you can hear me, give me the peace sign.” etc.

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Raise my hand until students look up and begin counting down from 5 to give them time to refocus before continuing

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I say let's refocus while moving my arm towards myself

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Change of lighting + teacher presence in front of room

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Stand on a chair until everyone is silent and eyes are focused on you

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Gallagher

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put hand up and count down with it from 5.

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clap a pattern, students echo it

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These visual and audio cues can help middle and high school teachers quickly get students back on track.

For many new teachers, classroom management can be one of the biggest obstacles to achieving success.

Without a toolbox of strategies to get students' attention, raising your voice may feel like the only option when students are engaged in a loud activity or simply not meeting expectations. To avoid creating a negative classroom culture, which ultimately impedes learning, new teachers, or teachers facing new circumstances in this less than ideal school year, can employ these attention-getters.

For each of the attention-getters below, it's important to explicitly teach students what your expectations are for how they should respond. For older students, it will likely take only a few minutes for you to demonstrate the attention-getter and share your expectations-voices are off, eyes are on the board, etc.

7 Effective Attention-Getters

1. The Clap-In (or Snap-In): The clap-in is a classic attention-getter for good reason! While many teachers resort to raising their voices when the classroom gets too loud, clapping provides an equally noticeable but far more positive way to get students' attention. To use a clap-in, simply pick a pattern to clap and have students repeat it back. As more students join in, the clap gets spread across the room until all students are participating in the clap and ending their conversations.

There are a few ways to make this more interesting for students. One option is starting with a clap and switching to snaps. This requires students to be even quieter to be able to hear the pattern you snap and then repeat it. You can also select a student to lead the clap-in or snap-in to build further investment in the attention-getter. Finally, rather than making up your own pattern, you can work with your students to design a unique clap-in or snap-in pattern for your class.

2. Give Me Five: This is a great option that not only helps bring students' attention back to you but also provides an opportunity for them to work together to get everyone back on track. For this attention-getter, raise your hand high so that students can see you. As each student sees the signal, they will also raise their hand. This will continue to spread until all students are silently raising their hands and looking to you for further directions.

To make this more exciting, I have timed my students to see how long it takes for everyone to raise their hand and then challenged them to beat their time. This has been a very efficient way to get the attention of all students without even using my voice at all.

3. Class-Wide Countdown: This strategy is similar to Give Me Five, as it has a cascade effect across the classroom when students join in to bring their attention back to the teacher.

To employ this strategy, the teacher begins a countdown, generally from 10, but teachers can make adjustments as needed for their individual groups; and as students hear the countdown, they join in until all students are participating. Once the entire class reaches zero, all students are silent and have their attention back on the teacher.

4. Call-and-Response: Using a call-and-response is another easy way to get students' attention, as they will have to not only listen to join in but also stop any side conversations in order to provide the accurate response. This attention-getter provides lots of room for creativity that both teachers and students can use to make the calls-and-responses best suited for them.

It's beneficial to involve students in the process of creating these calls-and-responses and then practice how they sound and what students are expected to do when they hear them-similar to the Clap/Snap-In.

5. Timer/Song: This strategy uses other sounds rather than a teacher's voice to get attention and relies on a specific timed activity.

I use this strategy if I have given my students a group or partner task to complete for a specific amount of time. When they start, I begin the timer or song (instrumental works best!), and by the time the timer or song goes off, students are expected to end their conversations and return their attention to me. The timer works best for potentially louder group activities, while the song is a great option for a slightly quieter partner activity.

6. Hit the Lights: This strategy is one I use only when I need student attention immediately back up front on me. Just like the theater signal that a performance is about to begin, a quick flash of the lights can alert students that something is about to happen. I explicitly explain to them that a quick flash of the lights means that they need to turn off their voices and track me.

I often use this strategy if students are working in groups and I only need to remind them of one quick piece of information but plan to let them return to working at their previous noise level.

7. Sound Effects: This strategy can be a more fun way to get student attention but one that must be explicitly taught so that students can be mature and meet expectations when it's used.

For this strategy, the teacher should identify a sound-I like to use this one -that will quickly get student attention and play the sound when needed. My students know that when they hear the sound, they are expected to be in their seats, silently tracking me for directions.

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7 Attention-Getters to Use Instead of Raising Your Voice

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These visual and audio cues can help middle and high school teachers quickly get students back on track.