Favorite Expressions
Posted by Jen Bragg on 22 Jun 2009 | Posted in: Classroom Management, Classroom Routines, Inspiration and Motivation, Teachers and Teaching
My first two years of teaching were spent as a fifth-grade teacher. My classroom was a portable trailer with wood siding (inside and out) and orange carpet. I loved it! Not only could I adjust the temperature in my classroom, but I never really had to stress too much about the noise level. My students sat and worked in cooperative groups, and since fifth graders have a lot to say, we sometimes strayed to the noisy side.
We had art in our classrooms, and one afternoon, the art teacher was circulating in my room, checking students’ progress with his assigned project. My happy tweens were getting a bit rowdy, so this soft-spoken Southern man decided to get the noise level in check. “It sounds like Congress in here,” he loudly declared. (Well, it was loud for him.) I’m not sure that solved the noise problem, but I had to chuckle! I had never heard that expression before, but it fit!
Tell me about a favorite kid-friendly expression that you use in your classroom. Is there one you use so often that your students tend to repeat it with you or you’ve learned from parents that they’re using at home? Please don’t feel limited to sharing phrases for quieting your students. It can be a positive reinforcement phrase, a transition signal, or even a daily greeting.
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17 Responses to “Favorite Expressions”
More Comments Pages: « 1 [2] Show All Comments
More Comments Pages: « 1 [2] Show All Comments
I say 1,2,3, eyes on me
The kids respond with 1,2 eyes on you. At this point the freeze and are ready to listen, ideally anyway : )
You get what you get and don’t throw a fit is another variation. “That’s not appropriate behavior” is what I say to my 3 & 4’s and it cracks me up when I hear them say it to each other.
My students use a version of the “get what you get” phrase that Danelle’s class uses. My kinders say “you get what you get and throw a fit” I am not sure who started it but many came in knowing it and it stuck.
As for me to get their attention I use either clapping or I say “bump bada bump bump’ and they respond ” “bump bump’ it has worked pretty well, I have heard small groups using it while working at centers also.
When a student or staff member brings in a special treat to share everyone usually wants a specific color or flavor of whatever was brought in. Instead of catering to everyone’s wishes my class knows - “You get what you get and you’re thankful for it”, all I have to say is “You get what you get” and the class finishes the statement for me.
When the noise level gets out of hand I use- “if you can hear me clap your hands, if you can hear me touch your nose” etc. until I have everyone’s attention.
I say our town name and the students respond with our mascot when I want them quiet. If it is a weak response b/c some were not paying attention I do it again. As soon as they say the mascot, they are to put their pointer finger over their mouth to remind them that they should be listening and not talking. Our whole school has adopted this technique now. Our parents are always amazed when any one adult in our school can do this and quickly quiet a cafeteria full of 2nd and 3rd graders =)
I also use this technique: “If you can hear my voice clap once. If you can hear my voice clap twice.” The kids naturally want to be a part of this game so they quickly join in. They know that if they do not all join in and clap twice, they will lose time off of their recess.