I'm working through my procedures (first grade), and I'm focusing now on getting student's attention. Here's what I have so far:
- Group or desk work when it gets too noisy: I'll use a zenergy chime and the kids will stop what they're doing and listen
- Getting students to the meeting area in the morning: I'll play a morning song. By the time it's finished, they need to be seated and ready to go.
- Clean-up: When they need to clean-up after a task (i.e. - during centers, indoor recess, etc.): I will set up a timer. When the timer goes off, they need to be done.
I would add some type of visual motion to go with the chimes or song as an attention getting device. Maybe having your hand by your side and moving it up as the song or chimes play.
I agree with the above poster - I would definately add some sort of visual aid in with it. If not not comfortable with the arm rasing thing just find what works well for you....but I would add something visual!
put one finger on my lips to just indicate "Ssh!" without the noise. As the kids notice, they raise their hands and elbow their neighbors--the more you do it-the quicker their responses become-it is also a little more dignified than shouting, especially in the hallways or places where you don't want to add your voice to theirs.
We have done this at church for years but I didn't do it at school until last year during flu season when I lost my voice--needless to say, it worked so well, I continued with it the rest of the year and intend to do it this year as well.
There is another teacher at church who will address the entire group of 80-100 children in her normal speaking voice will a simple command like "If you can hear me, touch your chin"--those listening immediately do and a few others notice and then she'll say "If you can...touch your ear" and so on until they all notice and settle down." It sounds long but she can settle and quiet them by herself in 30-50 seconds without raising her voice. Sometimes she even lowers her volume to a whisper as she goes along. If there are one or two left, not in compliance, she may call them out and say, "Nick, do you notice your neighbors.."
I count backwards from 5 and when I get to 0 they are to have the center put away, complete their thought if writing, put down paper and book, etc. and ready to listen
I use clapping patterns, adding other motions such as crossing midline (right arm to left shoulder, etc.). Another one I do when seated in group is to start a pattern of patting hands on knees alternating speed. Both of these require that they are looking at me.
Do you think it would be effective to do the zenergy chime with some sort of hand signal (perhaps finger to lips)? I'd like to be consistent, especially at the beginning of the year.
When I taught the younger grades, I used a battery powered magic wand. It makes noise and gives a visual (waving the wand and some lights). I saw some at the Dollar Store last week!
I ring a bell and put my hands on my shoulders. They stop, put their hands on their shoulders and look at me. The hands on the shoulders makes sure I get their attention because they can't continue playing (or working or putting away, etc)
One kindergarten teacher at our school taught her kids to respond like this:
She'd say: "One two three, eyes on me"
and the children would respond: "One two, eyes on you." Our first grade team has been doing it ever since with great success.
I tried it in third and it is brilliant. You can vary the pitch, loudness, softness, speed of your voice and I settle for nothing less than what I am doing. Sometimes it took several attempts depending on what we were doing, but it works. I also say it in French and that works well, teach the kids how to respond. My kids knew that if I was not speaking English they had better be listening.
I forgot to include this one with my earlier post--
I say "Mushrooms" and the students know to look at me and put their hands on their head, hence their body is now the shape of a mushroom! This is a good one for those who would love to continue their work, game playing, etc.
In 3rd Grade, I will say SALAMI...."Stop and look at me immediately." Kinda silly, but I learned it 12 years ago when I was student teaching. It is fun to watch the kids "snap" their heads in my directions.
My daughter's 1st grade teacher used a wooden train whistle to get everyone's attention...it is gentle, yet unique! I am teaching 1st grade this year (1st year teacher!) and I have mine all ready to go!
Alot of schools in our area use Project CLASS (Children Learning Appropriate Social Skills). We say
1, 2, 3 eyes on me
1, 2 eyes on you (point to the teacher)
Since Project CLASS is done school wide, by the time they get to second grade, they already know the routine. You only have to teach it to those students who have never seen it before.
If your school is interested in it, there's a website with relevant information. www.projectclass.org
I really like it. The organization is based in Houston so I don't know if they do anything out of state.
I hope that this helps.
07-12-2007, 10:33 AM
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