What call and response attention signals do you use?
I like this type much better than the "1-2-3, eyes on me/1-2, eyes on you" type of thing, because it's easier to get them quiet quickly (such as when an announcement comes over the loudspeaker).
Last year, I said "Voices" and they would go, "Shhhhh." It worked really well, so I might do that again, but am looking for other ideas. We're doing a sports theme in our class this year, so anything along those lines would be especially great!
I got these from another board, but they're great so thought I'd get them on this board.
If we all don't row: then we don't go
If you don’t climb the mountain...
==>You can’t see the view
Doing your best...
==>Means you never stop trying
When you believe in yourself...
==>Anything is possible!
Let your efforts...
==>Rise above your excuses
A mistake is a chance...
==>To try harder
Every choice you make counts...
==>Make choices you can count on!
Be satisfied...
==>With nothing but your best!
If you can’t make a mistake ...
==>You can’t make anything.
I have a large red X on the floor near the front of my classroom. When I step on it I say very quietly "I'm on my mark". Everyone returns to his/her own seat and silently places hands on desk. Kids love to demonstrate this to substitutes . I had to explain to the janitor why he shouldn't remove my red tape though .
I say "Give my five." and put my hand up in the air. I teach them at the beginning of the year what I expect for them to do when they hear my say that or see my hand in the air. When I say it I expect their voices to be off so the room gets quiet almost immediately. We discuss that this is important because there may be an emergency that I need them quiet for. I also have a poster from Really Good Stuff that says the same thing. Throughout the year I get quieter when I say it so that the kids who are really paying attention get it first and then I reward them randomly so it is not expected.
By December, I just raise my five in the air silently and the rest of the class follows suit. The first table to silently have their fives in the air earns a reward.
During an observation, the principal was amazed how the kids were so tuned in.
I got this idea from another board several years ago and it works if you model and practice it.
When I say SALAMI the kids stop what they are doing and stand and look at me immediately. They enjoy being a stick of salami. When I say bologna, they all sit down quietly.
It's dorky, but 3rd graders love it!
I also clap patterns and the kids echo the clap back.
I think it is important to have a good number of tricks up your sleeve, so I don't do the same thing all year long. Variety is the spice of life for me and the kids.
I love all the other recommendations listed above. Sometimes when I have my students think-pair-share, I use a rainstick to regain their attention. Works wonders...hard to believe how a sound can do that. I don't use it all the time, but I use if often after students have talked about something w/ a neighbor.
If you're talking about the Dr. Seuss book, then it's:
One fish, two fish
Red fish, blue fish
OP - I just do the "give me 5" as well - we use it school wide, so the kids all know what it means. Sometimes I have to remind them to "freeze" because they'll start walking around with their hands in the air. Then when I finish talking, I'll say, "Melt" and I get a kick out of watching some of them shrink to the ground.
I can't think of one related to sports, but I like the silent cheer.
Principals, Teachers and students will all put up three fingers and quietly count down to 1....and by the time they get to one it is complete silence. When it is a huge assembly nobody even has to count, they just use their fingers and it instantly quiets the crowd! We loved it!
07-01-2007, 02:08 PM
. I had to explain to the janitor why he shouldn't remove my red tape though 
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