Tips

Getting Student Attention Back Where it Belongs

1. When you're within hearing range of a few children, say in a normal-level voice, "if you can hear me, clap once, " "if you can hear me, clap twice," etc... usually I have the whole class' attention by the 4th time or so... sometimes I'll throw in a weird direction like "if you can hear me, touch your nose..." the kids enjoy it and it works pretty well.
   
   
2. I've also seen teachers who will do a clapping pattern and the kids copy. Again, this gets them paying attention quickly. Something with clapping seems to get kid's attention fast.
   
   
3. One of the teachers I student taught with had a little bell she'd ring to get their attention.
   
   
4. Another one I've seen is simply saying "1-2-3 Eyes on me." You have to be a little louder, but it usually works. Also, simply counting "1, 2, 3, etc" really slowly, but loud enough that they can hear you also works.
   
   
5. Ask an interesting, speculative question, show a picture, tell a little story, or read a related poem to generate discussion and interest in the upcoming lesson.
   
   
6. Try playfulness, silliness, a bit of theatrics (props and storytelling) to get attention and peak interest.
   
   
7. Use storytelling. Students of all ages love to hear stories, especially personal stories. It is very effective in getting attention.
   
   
8. Add a bit of mystery. Bring in an object relevant to the upcoming lesson in a box, bag, or pillowcase. This is a wonderful way to generate predictions and can lead to excellent discussions or writing activities.
   
   
9. Signal students through auditory stimulus: ring a bell, use a beeper or timer, play a bar of music on the piano or guitar, etc.
   
   
10. Vary your tone of voice: loud, soft, whispering. Try making a louder command "Listen! Freeze! Ready!" followed by a few seconds of silence before proceeding in a normal voice to give directions.
    
    
11. Use visual signals: flash the lights or raise your hand which signals the students to raise their hands and close their mouths until everyone is silent.
    
    
12. Frame the visual material you want students to be focused on with your hands or with a colored box around it.
    
    
13. If using an overhead, place an object (e.g., little toy car or plastic figure) to be projected on the screen to get attention.
    Clearly signal: "Everybody ... Ready ... "
    
    
14. Color is very effective in getting attention. Make use of colored dry-erase pens on white boards, colored overhead pens for transparencies and overhead projectors, and colored paper to highlight key words, phrases, steps to computation problems, spelling patterns, etc.
    
    
15. One teacher I've observed says, "Look at the floor. Look at the ceiling. Look at me."