[amykl02]

My bell ringing worked for the first two days but now students do not freeze....and when I say that I see hands still moving or feet, etc. I then see students who were still start to move just to get my attention. I work with 2nd graders and last year I had to remind them to stop, look and listen everytime I rang the bell and I don't want to do that this year....any ideas?

[dee]

you wrote: "I then see students who were still start to move just to get my attention."

Bingo!

Ring the bell, praise only those who are freezing (immediate verbal, then a surprise reward perhaps).

Second graders will do what they can for attention, good or bad, and if you only say Johhny, please freeze, that's reinforcing attention for a behavior you don't want. Mary, thank you for freezing should result in more students freezing.

Hope this helps!

When I taught first, instead of writing "bad" kids on the board, I write "good" kids on the board. You will not believe the difference this made in my classroom!

Perhaps you overused the bell signal ?? Try having 2-4 different signals. Perhaps the class makes up a signal. Or you make up one or two hand signals. I like the signal where the teacher says "One two three eyes on me." Students respond, "One, two eyes on you."

Good luck!

I agree with anon and dee - perhaps some variety is needed, perhaps the signal has been overused, and you will only be giving attention to those following your instructions. But I just wanted to add this in case it helps

-two days isn't long, keep practicing what you want from the class

-maybe "freezing" is not what you really want.....are you ringing the bell to get attention so you can give new instructions? Then maybe what you really want from the children is simply silence when you ring the bell, rather than "freezing".

-Are you perhaps waiting too long after the bell to get to the point? Whatever signal I use, its because I want their attention for a second or two, long enough to say my next instruction. So we practiced putting down what was in their hand, and looking at me immediately. I never waited more than those few seconds, I got right into whatever I wanted to say.

I have a very, very talkative class this year. Two of the things that I've found successful are rhythmic clapping or repeating "if you can hear me touch your nose (ear, chin, cheek, elbow, etc.)" until I have everyone's attention. The bell and a timer work some of the time, but, like the other posters have said, change it up.

I have found a cheap stopwatch can be a very good tool. If I ring the bell, flash the lights, etc..and students are still moving, I start the stopwatch (the seconds buy you more time than minutes), and stop the watch when everyone is ready. I never say anything, it is a good non-verbal with a positive response. Time can be taken off recess==however it can also work the other way, if kids are immediately quiet, they can earn back time lost (this is helpful for your habitual offenders!)