noise levels

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Home : 2001 : November : 30

noise levels
By Carolyn

I had often wondered about that, too, when I first began teaching. During my first year of teaching, I worked with a teacher who said that the kids should always talk with "inside voices." Since that time, I have specific
guidelines for talk. Here goes:
No talking: During test time, including oral tests, such as spelling tests. Orange card (no recess) if a child talks during a test.
Talking allowed: When kids are doing cooperative activities.
No talking allowed: When kids are doing independent work which requires conversation. Examples include math seatwork (after explanation has been made on

the board) and other types of independent work. I do not allow talking once announcements have begun. For the next fifteen minutes, kids are supposed to read silently or finish morning work. Announcements come on about 7:55, so they work until 8:15 with their mouths closed. There are just times when you have to insist that kids do not talk, and this is one of them. The major reason is that when kids begin to talk they get off task. The noise levels begin to rise, and I don't like noise.

Two techniques I use to keep them quiet: We have a row contest each week. I give points to the row which is working the most quietly. I give points to the row which is getting in line or transitioning the most quietly. Treats are awarded on Friday to those students who have the most points. I am a full-time classroom teacher, but I have used this system as a sub. It works for subs, too.

I guess that it's really best to try to control the noise levels. The more talking there is, the rowdier the kids become and the more off-task they become. It's too hard to bring them back once they have gotten to that point.