[ismile]

I have used a bell in my classroom and teach the following:
1 ring: freeze and eyes on the teacher, ready to listen
2 rings: quickly find your seat
3 rings: push in your chairs and set in the carpet area


Also, I have a management spot where I do the "management talks". At the beginning of the year I use a hula hoop on the floor where my management spot is...this is where I would talk to the class about their behavior, give consequences, etc. If I have to go over to the spot during an activity or lesson, they loose time from recess or whatnot. Eventually, as they as me walk towards the spot, they would quiet down and get back on task without me having to say a word. The idea behind a management spot is that you don't contaminate the teaching area. (Envoy classroom management- non verbal techniques)