[momfirst]

There are so many times in the day when the teacher needs to interject and make a comment, add an instruction, etc. I find that just starting to talk doesn;t do the trick. How many of you use a signal or a short poem when you need the students to listen- womething to get their attention quickly that let;s them know they need to hera what you are saying?? Could you please shate.
Thanks
Leslie

[txteach07]

The kindergarten teacher I am doing my field work and student teaching with uses a bell when she needs to get the students' attention for additional instructions, etc. She rings the bell and the students 'hook up'. They stop whatever they are doing, cross their arms, and look at the teacher. It works really well in her classroom.

[patschmidt]

When I need to get their attention... I say" Good Gracious" Their response is
"Great Balls of Fire!!"
It's works everytime!!

[janicepet]

Sometimes I turn the lights off to get their attention or use a short poem. It goes like this:


One, two, three eyes on me.
(The class responds with)
One, two eyes on you.

[rebeccancourt]

When I want the class to be quiet, I will say, "Hey!" (drag it out a little) and the children respond, "Ho!" (Drag it out a little bit) and then they say "SHHHHH!" and put their fingers on their lips. It works every time. Our PE teacher uses this method for PE class so you know it must be good to get over the gym noise.

I also use a clapping rhythm for them to repeat..such as ....clap..clap..clap,clap,clap. We use this for entire school assemblies. It is also a good one! I sometimes have to do it through twice. The bell is good as well. I ring it once and they have to stop what they are doing and put their eyes on me! Good luck!

[loo]

I actually got this one from one of the boards during the summer. It has worked really well. All I say is give me three. The students need to put three fingers in the air. The three are:Stop, Look, and Listen. They respond to this really well.

[kristy21578]

I say freeze and my first graders must stop what they are doing and put their hands on their heads so I know their listening. It amazing how well this works. Parents who work in my room can't believe it when I say freeze the response I get from my class. It is something easy and can be used any where in the building.

[linda2671]

I also use the clapping rhythm. I had a very difficult class last year and it even worked with them.

[momfirst]

GREAT! All such wonderful ideas- thanks so much! That helps a bunch!
Thanks
Leslie

[DRich611]

You could try a fun saying...kinda like the "Hey...Ho" idea.
You could say "Zip Zip" and they say, "We are Zipped"
You could say "Peanut Butter" and they say "Jelly"
You could say "Zippidy do da" and they say "Zippidy A"

[suem]

If they are really noisy I say "heads down." Their heads go down and they are ready to listen.
The teacher across the hall uses, "If you can hear my voice, touch you nose. If you can hear my voice, touch your ear." She rarely goes further than that and doesnt have to speak loudly to get the class quiet.

[1stgradenew]

Give Me 5...we talk at the beginning of school what the five are:

Quiet feet (no walking)
quiet hands (pencil down hands still)
quiet mouth (no talking)
eyes watching
ears listening

Works wonderful Made it a game the first few days

[LittleHeather]

Here are a couple of quick ideas I use with my students and they really respond to them.

1. You say in a sing-song tone "Everybody Listen" and the kids respond
by singing back "Right Now".

2. You say "Popsicle" and the kids freeze where ever they and look to
you. After giving them the direction, say "Melt" and they continue
working.

* this may take a week or two for them to do it all together, just be
patient.