What do you use as your signal to get the kids' attention when you want them to stop what they're doing and listen to you, and how well has that worked for you? I currently raise my hand and wait for everyone else to raise their hand before I start speaking. If I need it to happen faster, I combine this with ringing my desk bell. I've done this for 4 years, but I'm not completely satisfied.
On the home page you will see the word "Collections." In it is a list of tons of neat resources that have been collected, and one of them is "Attention Getters." I use a bunch of them from there. One of my favorites: "Hear ye, hear ye!" "All eyes on the queen!"
I found a bunch of these somewhere...maybe Pinterest, and my students loved them. I changed them once a week until we had a long repertoire. Here are some I remember:
Too infinity................and beyond
1,2,3, eyes on me............1,2, eyes on you
Hear ye, hear ye...............all eyes on the queen
Lollipop, lollipop................oh, lolly, lolly, lolly, lollipop (then they made a popping sound)
Goodness Gracious............great balls of fire
I would like to try something different too for an attention getter. Right now I have chimes in my classroom that I ring when I need everyone's attention.
If the students are busy working in groups, I use:
S--stop
A--and
L--look
A--at
M--me
I--immediately.
I taught this at the beginning of the year and they actually liked to respond (correctly) to it.
Another was "Popsicle." They freeze and wait to hear the new directions from the teacher. Then the teacher says "Melt" and they return to working with their group.
In my own class, after lots of trial and error what has worked most consistently is when I just raise my hand and say, "Raise your hand if you're quiet/ready to listen." That generally works with maybe only one more repetition.
If the chatter continues, I might add, "Tap your neighbor on the shoulder if he/she needs to end the conversation."
If they're in the middle of a pair-share or collaborative work, I might say, "Start finishing up your sentences... 5....4....3....2....1. Raise your hand if you are ready to listen."
1 ding means to listen up
2 dings means it's time to clean up and go back to your desk
3 really loud, hard dings "You are too loud and I'm gettin' pissed!" (Not exactly in those words, of course!)
I use a bicycle horn (it's just a little $5 plastic horn I bought at Walmart). I'll toot it when I want the kids attention- we've even named him Junior and the kids love it and respond great to it. They know when they hear Junior they must stop and look at me. I used to use a bell but I wanted something a little "different" and he has worked!
-turn off the lights
-ring chimes
-play a harmonica
-ring a bell
-say "Clap once (twice, three, whatever I want) if you can hear me." and repeat until everyone does it and is listening
-countdown timer
This year I want to try short clips of songs from tv shows and movies. "I Dream of Jeanie" to line up.
I use a mini harmonica - after blowing it, the student's put their hand up in the air and turn and look at me. It's soothing and the kids know instantly to quiet down and listen.
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08-03-2012, 12:55 PM
(Not exactly in those words, of course!)
