News

When you’re working with a group of children it can be a challenge to get their attention without sounding like a drill sergeant. Leah Davies M.Ed. has collected 25 great ideas that classroom teachers can use that are not only effective but fun! Here are the first 5:

 1. Hold up your hand and say, “Give Me Five.” The children put their hands in the air and shout “five!” As they count down to one, they get progressively quieter until “one” is said in a whisper. Or, after saying, “Give me five,” everyone puts their hand in the air and counts loudly using their fingers from 1 to 5.

2. Teach the children that the five fingers on their right hand stand for the five things they must do when you hold up your hand. Say, “Give me five,” and wait until all the children hold up their hand. Then lead them in saying the five things together.

1. Eyes — look
2. Ears — listen
3. Mouth — closed
4. Hands — still
5. Feet — quiet

Later when you say, “Give me five,” the children are to think of these five things and hold up their hand to show they are ready to listen.

3. Clap or tap in a pattern, for example, clap slowly twice and then clap fast three times. The students are to stop what they are doing and repeat the pattern. If necessary, do it again until all children have responded and are quiet. You may want to vary the pattern.

4. Shake a shaker, touch a wind chime, ring a bell, play quiet music or use any kind of sound maker as a signal for students to be attentive.

5. Raise your hand and stand still until the students are quiet. Or, raise your right hand and put the index finger of your left hand on your lips. The children are to do the same. Another idea is to hold up three fingers which is a silent signal for “Stop, look, listen.” Then wait until all the children have their three fingers up and are quiet.