Here are som suggestions for 'Call and Response' lines (or actions) to get the attention of the entire class. Some are more appropriate for younger students, but many also work well with older students.
Attention signals
Posted by: fischerk #134492
I just learned a new attention signal this weekend, called "Class-Yes." When you say "class", the kids say "yes." However you say "class," that's how they say "yes." So if you say "classity-class!" they say "yessity-yes!"
Anyway, I used it today in a class where I had already tried several signals that failed (hand raised, clapping, bell, shouting "freeze"). And it worked quite well, and was fun for me and the kids! I am excited about having a new trick up my sleeve.
You're right, liketeaching- they could probably come up with some good ones. I would love to have them come from other books we love, but they usually come more from rhyming books. One year we did T: The magic hat, the magic hat S: It moved like this and it moved like that! and T: And the bear S: Snored on! Maybe we can get out some favorite books from last year and look for good lines.
I'll definately also use a couple from these suggestions!!
In my class when I needed the students attention, I would say, "One, Two" The students reply, "Eyes on you" Then I say, "three, four" and students reply, "talk no more" This worked well and the students enjoyed it. Sometimes I would have a student reply "shut the door" they would quickly fix their mistake. However I noticed that you wanted a quiet signal, in which case the give me five is a great idea. Sometimes the kids would get loud with out chant. Good luck!
Here's one that we used
Posted by: KellyTeachTX #137650
When the group is too loud, you get their attention by saying, loudly "EYES!!"
They respond: "OPEN MA'AM"
I said : "EARS"
They said "LISTENING MA'AM" (We practice this many times during the first day of school, and before you know it, the first couple of times, you don't even have to go to the EARS part. They're already quiet and listening) It works great!! Of course, if a Male Teacher/Principal/Counselor wants to use it, they respond with OPEN SIR, and LISTENING SIR
I absolutely love the Queen thing your friend uses. It just fits my personality. AND by the way, Tia, I am the queen!!!! :rolleyes:
I don't go so much for that "If you hear my voice, clap . . ." even though I've seen it work very effectively for others.
I once heard a teacher use a xylophone - just one stroke down the bars. It worked magically, just like the windchime thing. I loved the sound of it, but sometimes that wonderful, little tinkle sound would be lost on my students (ex. playing a math game, etc.)
Sometimes, I use switching the lights on and off when students are working together because it is one thing that gets immediate attention. However, I once heard that it wasn't a very good strategy, but I can't remember who said...
I've done different ones over the years. This year I do a sing song one Hey (me) Ho (them). My teacher friend does the shave and a haircut song without the words: Bum budda bum bum (her) Bum bum (kids). At a conference I heard a spelling one that goes like this: L - I - S (teacher) T - E - N (kids).
Believe it or not, I use these with my grade 8s! They think it's hilarious, and it really works. I've found it especially helpful during noisier activities (drama especially!) because I'll just say the cue word quietly while standing near a group, and they may be the only group to respond. Then I'll do the cue word again, and since the rest of the class has heard the first group, they respond.
Since I have older kids, they would suggest the call and reponse phrases, and we'd switch them up every few weeks. So we ended up with
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.
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!
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"
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 dont climb the mountain...
==>You cant 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 cant make a mistake ...
==>You cant make anything.
