Happy Friday, y’all! Is it only me who mistakenly thinks life will slow down a bit during the winter months of January and February? I seem to trick myself into thinking this each year and then, each year, I’m soooo surprised by how busy I am. No doubt, you’re busy as well. So let’s take a deep breath together…slowly, breathe in…slowly, breathe out. There. Much better!
Now about our Red-Hot Giveaway! How does the chance to win a $20 Target gift card, a bit of chocolate, and a snazzy red-and-white basket sound? To enter, simply let us know your favorite (and most efficient) way of grabbing your students’ attention. Just be sure to do this before Valentine’s Day is over—that’s right, before midnight, Sunday, February 14.
Hearts to you!
Diane
PS: Have you checked out our “February Surprise” giveaway? Counting today, there’s only three days left to enter. Check it out here.
Congratulations to Christa, the winner of this month’s giveaway!
My favorite attention grabber is when I say “Holy moly!” And the students respond “Guacamole!” 🙂
I grab my students’ attention by turning off the lights and put classical music on. It’s funny to see their little faces stop what they are doing and slowly look for me.
I say, :”1-2-3 eyes on me”
Students say, “1-2 focus on you.”
I use a wind chime to grab the attention of my students. They love it and so do I!
Simon says!
Light off and on quickly works for me
Give me 5! and counting down.
gadzooks and 1,2 3 eyes on me. Also I sometimes just whisper.
I usually do 1, 2, 3 Eyes on Me or clap my hands 3 times
3….2…1
I say , “Surprise Me!”
I usually do 1, 2, 3, or clap my hands only one time. Thanks for the chance!
I use a cowbell to get their attention when they are doing group work.
Shaking the treat jar always works, but high 5 is what I try using most of the time.
I love to get really quiet and whisper. They all want to know what I’m saying!
I use a triangle!
I say, “lions, tigers, and bears!”
All the kids respond, ” Oh, my!!”
I say “flat tire” and the kids say “shhhhhhhh”
I clap 1, 2 then quickly 123. They then clap back the same rhythm.
Being overly silly
When things get really loud, I take one of the stuffed animals in the room, hold it lovingly, put my finger to my lips, and say, “Shhhh, don’t wake him up. He really needs his nap right now.” The kids quiet down immediately.
I place a small stuffed animal next to 2 students who are being good role models, then the other children start to pay attention to their behavior.
Our hello song works well to get their attention during circle time
I start singing–the song varies but it’s always about what is going on at that moment. I make up the tune and occasionally sing off tune. Sometimes if it’s a phrase I have sung before they start singing with me.
I clap three times and the students know to respond likewise.
We live in Colorado, so I say “icicles” and my students freeze like icicles and their eyes are on me! Then, I am able to give the instructions, and of course, they want me to say “unfreeze.”
I gently ring my Zen chime to grab my preschoolers attention. It has a soothing and mystical tone! When I ring it, all eyes find mine and ears open wide for my directions!
Singing a song.
I pick a song to play on my CD player, and the students know it’s time to stop what they are doing, put their work away, and come to the carpet. They sing along as they clean up.
Nothing fancy, I tell them I’m closing my eyes and when I count to 3 and open them that everyone will be sitting quietly. Works every time!
When we line up. I get my kids quiet and ready to leave the room by saying
One two listen and do
Three four face the door
Five six fingers on lips
Seven eight line up straight
Nine ten let the quiet line begin
I say “Tootsie Roll, Lollipop”
Kids respond “We are talking, we will stop.
“Class, class” “Yes, yes” works every time!
Give me 5 or 1-2-3 eyes on me with the student response 1-2 eyes on you
Lights on and off quickly or I say “science” they respond “rocks”
I start a countdown and the kids know they have to be on the carpet and ready by the time I get to zero.
I also do the “1,2,3 eyes on me” but hold my hand/s up and say “how many fingers do you see?” I change the number of fingers I hold up each time so I know who is really paying attention. It’s a game for the children and they love it. Plus they are counting!
I ask the class, “did you hear that, shh, shh, did you hear that”… When all is quiet, I reply “yep, there it is, silence”
I say…very softly….if you can hear me touch your nose, if you can hear me pat your head, if you can hear me turn around, if you can hear me stand on one foot…..and so on, I keep my voice very soft so they have to listen to hear the instructions as they see others joining in. It usually gets very quiet and the students love the movement.
I start whispering. I will whisper things like “NAME, go get a sticker, NAME, go get a bonus “ticket.” Suddenly the room starts to quiet down like a huge tidal wave. Everyone is curious about what I am saying!
I say: Easy Peasy! And they say: Lemon Sqeezy.
I say, however many times I say “Class”, the students have to respond with that many “yeses”. For instance, I’d say, “Class, Class, Class,” they’d say “Yes, yes, yes.” In addition, they have to use whatever tone or pitch that I used as well. (whole brain)
Self Check!
There are so many, I love switching it up. My 6th grade friends would probably tell you that their favorite is the silly voices and random accents. If I need their attention, I just begin speaking that way and My friends are focused very quickly. They once challenged me to teach the entire math lesson in my Elmo voice. Challenge accepted!! Another favorite is saying “ready to rock” & my friends respond with “ready to roll”!
I have a little bell like they have at the counter at the Post Office that I ring.
I say “we are!”
The students say “magnificent monsters!” (This is our class name & theme; I took the Lenn state chant & changed it to fit my class)
I use a lot of humor to get and keep the kids attention, make all of us enjoy our day a little more.
I use some sayings like “Tootsie Roll, Lollipop, we’ve been talking now lets stop” As soon as the students hear the first word they say it with me.
I say “freeze please” or “eyes on who?” And they respond “eyes on you, ma’am. “
I love saying “hocus pocus” and they say “we need to focus!”
I will usually say in a quiet but firm voice “If you can hear the sound of my voice…CLAP ONCE!!!” Then I will say again “If you can hear the sound of my voice now… CLAP 2 TIMES.” Then if there is still chatter or activity, I will say something like this…”If you can hear the sound of my voice now… CLAP THREE TIMES. By then I usually have all eyes on me and all chatter quiet!
Wow! Thanks for th chance!
1, 2, 3 and claps my hands.
I say: “Claaaaaaaasssssssssss”
Attention, please!
my rainstick – works like a charm!
Every week we switch out an attention-getter call and response chant. Some examples are:
Spaghetti….and meatballs
Holy moly….guacamole
Peanut butter….and jelly
~I ring a bell
~Teacher : “Tootsie Roll Lollipop!”
Students: ” We are talking, now we stop!”
~I clap a tune and they copy the clap