Getting their attention

ely2boys · **Getting their attention** 08-24-2007, 01:41 PM

Besides clapping a pattern and having them repeat it back, what other methods do you use to get your class' attention without raising your voice?

Garden Gal · 08-24-2007, 01:48 PM

Earlier there were several posts about this here is a link to one of them

http://www.proteacher.net/discussion...ht=transitions

In the Search Boards tool above I typed in "transitions" and go this link and several others.

One of my favorite transition tools from the posts was
Teacher: Hocus Pocus
Class Response: Everybody focus!

lovebug422 · **I...** 08-24-2007, 02:44 PM

Say "Give me five" (which is a school-wide thing) - each finger means something specific in terms of being a good listener. I will also say "Eyes, ears, and lips", or sometimes I'll count backwards from five. I vary it.

applegirl31 · **attention** 08-24-2007, 03:50 PM

I use 1, 2, 3 eyes on me and the kids respond 1, 2 eyes on you!

relax · **I start to sing** 08-24-2007, 03:53 PM

our clean up song and everyone joins in. They love to sing!

Twinkle, twinkle little star
Time to clean up where you are
Put your work back in its place
With a smile upon your face
Twinkle, twinkle little star
Time to clean up where you are

cvt · **clean-up song** 08-24-2007, 04:12 PM

I love that clean-up song. I'm going to use it!!

Busy_Lil_Bee · 08-25-2007, 10:07 AM

pt idea i now use- "hands on top" kids put hands on head and respond "this means stop". putting their hands on their head makes them stop what they are doing.

TeacherLisa1st · 08-25-2007, 11:48 AM

I hold up my fingers like a peace sign, which means "peace and quiet!" - then they do the same thing. I also use a chime w/a mallet and a windchime that is hung up.

vateacher · **busybryant** 08-25-2007, 02:20 PM

Hahaha! That was totally the one I was going to share. It's my favorite attention getter.

miss.anderson · **thanks!** 08-25-2007, 04:15 PM

wow I love the "hocus pocus" "everybody focus" and "hands on top" "this means stop" attention getters! I will definitely use them - thanks!

Another one I have used is "hands free, eyes on me"...my kids always responded by holding up their empty hands, even though I never asked them to! I also like doing the clap pattern, but in shh's instead of claps

AD · 08-28-2007, 04:46 PM

I whisper "if you can hear me touch your nose", "if you can hear me touch your head", "if you can hear me wiggle your ears". Before you know it everyone is quiet and following along.

You can also use a chime. I have a maraca that I'm going to try out too.

Limusser · **attention getters** 08-29-2007, 05:35 PM

I also do the stop and give me five. There is a poster at Holcombs that goes along with it.

Another one that is similiar to "hocus pocus" - I sing "everyboby listen and they respond "right now".

As a school we say "If you can hear the sound of my voice, clap once. If you can hear the sound of my voice, clap twice. Usually you've got them by 2.

bookworm86 · **variety** 11-19-2007, 03:34 PM

I agree with the poster on the other thread - the key is variety! When I student taught 2nd grade I had a code word written on the board each day (ie

eanut butter). When I said the word the children would whisper back "jelly" or.....code word "roller" and whisper back, "coaster". They loved it and it really helped focus their attention!

Now that I'm in 1st I use many of the things the above posters suggested, "1,2,3 Eyes on me", whispering "If you can hear my voice put your hands on your head, etc." , light flashes, "Give me 5" AND clapping patterns. Looks like I'm going to be adding "hocus pocus" and "hands on top" to my signals this week! I love them!

Good Luck!