20 Attention-Getters to Quiet Any Noisy
Classroom
Part of a good classroom management system includes a way to
get the attention of students. When it is time for students to
stop, focus, and be ready to listen and learn, an attentiongetter should be in a teacher’s magic bag of management
tricks. Attention-getters should do the job quickly and
efficiently. Grabbing the focus of students will be a snap with
some tried and true attention-getters.
Call and Response
Teacher says “Hey Hey!” and students respond with “Ho Ho!”
I’ve been using this one in my classroom ever since I began
teaching.
Teacher: “Let’s Go Tigers!” Students reply by clapping: clap,
clap, clap, clap, clap. Insert your favorite sports team or even
your school mascot.
Teacher says “Flat Tire!” Students say: “sssshhhhhhhh.” Put
a limit on how long the “ssshhh” should be. Some jokesters
may drag it out a bit too long.
Teacher says: “Class, class.” Students say: “Yes, yes.”
Paying homage to a Disney classic, the teacher says “Hakuna!”
while students call out “Matata!”
Teacher says: “Meanwhile” Students say: “Back at the ranch.”
Teacher says: “Hocus Pocus!” Students say: “Everybody
Focus!”
Teacher says: “Alright, stop!” Students say: “Collaborate and
listen.”
Teacher says: “Macaroni and cheese.” Students say:
“Everybody freeze!”
Teacher says: “All set.” Students say: “You bet!”
Non-verbal
Teacher claps once, students respond with two claps. You
could even use patterns.
Teacher silently raises one hand in the air with two fingers up
like the peace signal. Students will mimic teacher until the
entire class is silent while giving the peace signal.
Use a bell, timer, or doorbell. When students hear the audio
signal, they stop to listen.
Find an item, like a hat or glasses, to put on when you need
students to focus on you.
Use a quiet instrument, such as a triangle, wind chime, drum,
or sound block.
Flick the lights off and on until students are ready to learn.
Create a paddle with a stop sign on it. Hold it up when you
need the attention of students.
Play a song, or part of a song. When the song is over,
students must be quiet and focused.
Teacher raises hand in the air while silently counting down
with fingers. When no fingers are left, the class should be
ready to learn.
Wave a flag, or wand, in the air for all students to see.
Students must be silent and listening by the time you lower
the flag.
Find at least one attention-getter with which you are
comfortable, or create your own. Practice your intended
attention-getter with your students often to get desired
results. Are students not responding to your usual attentiongetter? Switch it up! Change your attention-getter
altogether, or mix up what you usually use. Don’t be afraid to
get a little silly, only if your students can handle it. Say it in a
different accent, or stretch it out in slo-mo.
We’d love to hear from you! Do you have a preferred
attention-getter?