[New2First]

What ways do you get the students' attention?

[Lilybook]

I use a lot of different ways to get my students attention. My two favourites are clapping a rhythm and having them repeat (I find this works well in large, public spaces too) and counting down from 5 to 1 (at one eyes are on me and lips are still). That said I will also sing "Are you listening" to which they respond "Yes we're listening" (the K teacher does this and they are pre-trained) or sing a quick round of "Everybody do this" ending with listen.
I find that switching up the signals often keeps them from losing their effectiveness. If I do the same thing to often the kids stop responding and I need to start over...so I train them for a variety and use them all as I see fit.

[Cheresa]

I use several.
I say zip, zip and my students say we're zipped.
I say peanut butter they say jelly.
If they are getting noisy, I say work work and they say we are working.
I say zippy d do da they say zippy d a.

[superteach113]

We have a secret word. It is "Salami" which means, stop and look at me immediately. The kids are impressed that our class has a secret word that only we know. We practiced using "salami" for a day and now when I need their attention, I just say "salami" and they stop and turn and look at me, ready to listen to directions. I learned this at a workshop earlier this summer. I've been using it for 3 weeks and it's still working!

[TeAcHeRinFL]

I have a big stop sign and I hold it up and say stop, look, listen.

I also play "teacher says" (like simon says). I got the idea from another post on here. I usually say teacher says put your hands on your head, teacher says put your hands on your shoulders, teacher says put your finger on your lips....or something along those lines.

[rayita]

I use a wind chime. When they hear the chimes they and look at me.

[Rosieo]

http://www.teachersparadise.com/c/pr...ducts_id/29145

This little device is great and the kids love it.

[BKTeacher]

Depending on what mood I'm in I'll say this in a normal voice:

If you're listening clap your hands...(clap, clap)
If you're listening touch your nose...(touch your nose)
If you're listening touch your head...(touch your head)
If you're listening touch your chin...(touch your chin).
Then I repeat it until I get everyone's attention. Usually I only have to say this twice.

You can use different variations to this as well.

I use a bell at specific times of the day so they know exactly what to do (once during morning transition and once during the afternoon).

5-4-3-eyes on me-2-1

Clap hands and kids repeat pattern

Me: 1-2-3 eyes on me, Kids: 1-2 eyes on you!

[bookmom]

I have some chimes I ordered from Trainer's Warehouse. It has a beautiful sound and gets the students' attention quickly and effectively.

[trlawson]

I use this. It is a metal wand that I got at a conference. I tap it and it vibrates. The kids no to stop what they are doing and look and listen to me.

To get the students attention I say; if you can hear my voice calp once, if you can hear my voice clap twice.......................