Stories by Storie

Everyone has a story to tell. What is yours?

  • Stories by Storie
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
    • Book Activities
    • Book Lists
    • Classroom Management
    • Freebies
    • Math
    • Reading Tips
    • Writing
  • Free
  • Shop
    • Teachers Pay Teachers
    • Amazon
    • Bookshop
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

Ways to Get Your Students’ Attention

November 1, 2021

You can be the best teacher in the world, but if you don’t have your students’ attention, it doesn’t really matter. So, how can you fix this? Here are 10 ways to get your students’ attention.

You can be the best teacher in the world, but if you don't have your students' attention, it doesn't really matter. So, how can you fix this? Here are 10 ways to get your students' attention.

10 Ways to Get Your Students’ Attention

Using an attention-getter in the classroom is most effective when it is taught, modeled, and practiced regularly. Here are some ideas I have used in my own classroom.

Countdown

For this, raise your hand and say, “Give me 5…4…3…2…1”. As you countdown, students focus on five things:

  • eyes on the speaker
  • quiet mouth
  • listening ears
  • hands free of objects
  • body under control

Clap Your Hands

This is a great attention getter to use when you are losing your voice. Simply clap out a pattern with your hands. Students immediately repeat the pattern back. This can be done 1, 2, or 3 times (or as many as it takes until all students are focused and on-track).

Change Your Voice Level

When students are all talking, the noise level increases quickly. Often, the first thought is to speak louder so you can be heard over the rest of the noise. However, using a whisper can be just as effective. Students begin to quiet down out of curiosity.

Designated Spot

Choosing a designated speaking spot in the classroom can be a great visual. When students see the teacher move to this spot, they know it’s time to settle down and start listening.

Call and Response

Similar to the clapping pattern, using a call and response or a special chant can be an effective attention getter. There are so many you can use, but here are a few examples:

  • T: Hey, Hey! S: What do you say?
  • T: 1,2 S: Eyes on you!
  • T: Ready, Set S: You bet!
  • T: Hocus, Pocus S: Everybody focus!

Use a Special Sound

To help save your voice, having a special sound can get your students’ attention very quickly. You can use a bell, chime, wireless doorbell, or another small instrument or noisemaker.

Use a Timer

Using a timer takes the focus off you, yet still holds students accountable. Start with a larger amount of time (i.e. 10 seconds). Let students know you are starting the timer (You have 10 seconds to…) . Let the time run down to zero, only stopping the timer if students are silent before it goes off. If students beat the timer, reduce the amount of time the next time you use it. You can also tie this in to a classroom goal. For every time students beat the timer, they can fill in a box or icon on their goals chart. When the chart is complete, celebrate that success before starting a new goal.

Focus on the Positive

This works really well with younger students. If you’ve asked your students to do something and the majority aren’t on track, start praising and thanking those who are ready. The rest will quickly join in. For example:

  • I see that Javier is sitting quietly, ready to learn.
  • Kalani, thank you for coming to the carpet quickly, quietly, and safely.
  • Wow! Did you see the way Javonn immediately stopped what he was doing to listen to directions?

Move Closer

If you have only one or two students who aren’t paying attention, start moving closer to those individuals. When you stand closer to these students, they are more likely to stop what they were doing and start paying attention.

Flick the Lights

This was always my last resort option and used during activities where a lot of talking and movement was needed. When your other attention-getting signals haven’t worked, walk to the light switch and begin flipping the switches down one at a time. Students will quickly notice the change and stop what they were doing.

Keep in mind that no matter what you choose to get your students’ attention, you need to teach it, model it, and practice it over and over again to make it effective. I suggest having a few attention-getters that you use regularly for different scenarios that might happen in the classroom. You might need to experiment with several different options to determine which work best with your current group of students and your own teaching style.

Once you have your students’ attention, it’s also important to find ways to keep it. Make sure you:

  • build relationships
  • establish clear routines and procedures
  • plan lessons carefully
  • choose activities at the appropriate level
  • build in movement and brain breaks
  • keep the content relevant
  • keep them engaged

Looking for more teacher tips? Try these:

  • Classroom Management Tips
  • Ways to Encourage Kindness in the Classroom
  • 3 Ways to Foster Gratitude in the Classroom
Whether you’re just starting out, or you’ve been teaching for years, getting and maintaining your students’ attention can be a challenge. Here are several ways to get your students’ attention.
signature

Related posts:

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to loop with your students to the next grade? It can be a difficult decision to make. Before making that decision, you should weigh the pros and cons.The Pros and Cons of a Looping Classroom Whether you're a brand new teacher, a veteran, or somewhere in between, you've probably encountered a challenging student or two in the classroom. I know I have. It's important to create an environment that is welcoming, but also one where learning can take place. Here are some classroom management tips to help you maintain that balance.Classroom Management Tips Kindness is so important, but doesn't come easily to everyone. Sometimes we need to explicitly teach and model this trait for our students just as we would for academic skills. Here are some easy ways to encourage kindness in the classroom.Ways to Encourage Kindness in the Classroom Goal Setting Mistakes to Avoid Finding papers without names on them is not only frustrating, but tracking down the owners can be time consuming! Here are several tips for preventing and handling no name papers in the classroom.Tips for Dealing with No Name Papers
«
»

Filed Under: classroom management, teacher tips Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Categories

Latest on Instagram

I love that there are so many great children’s b I love that there are so many great children’s books out there to help kids identify their emotions AND learn how they can work through these big feelings. Today I want to share two that specifically address anger.

Ravi’s Roar (Big Bright Feelings)
@bloomsburychildrens
Ravi is the smallest in his family, which isn’t a big deal. But one day at the park, he realizes his arms won’t reach the monkey bars, no one wants to play hide-and-seek, and he’s too little to ride the big slide. Ravi is so mad that he can’t control his temper and turns into a tiger! Can Ravi learn to work through this anger so he doesn’t hurt others?

I Am a Tornado
@simonkids
Tornado is big, spins fast, and is carving a huge path of destruction. Could he be upset? Cow has been caught up in all of it, but that might be a good thing. After all, Cow is a good listener and his calming presence is exactly what Tornado needs. #SimonKidsCrew

These must-read SEL books would be a great addition to add to your classroom, school, or home library! What are some other books about anger that you would recommend?
Snuck off to the library today to restock our shel Snuck off to the library today to restock our shelf. I love that our local librarians never bat an eye when they see me filling up a bag of books. I mean, if this were a bookstore, this would easily cost over $250!😳 

Which titles from this #libraryhaul would you check out?
LET’S CELEBRATE 🎉 with books, of course😉 LET’S CELEBRATE 🎉

with books, of course😉

Do you love a good chance to celebrate? I do, but I tend to forget about special days throughout the year.🤷🏼‍♀️

Here are two books that feature special holidays, but also recognize that an average, ordinary day can be worth celebrating, too! Swipe to take a peek inside!

Have you read either of these books yet?

Every Day’s a Holiday
✏️Stef Wade
🎨Husna Aghniya
@runningpresskids

National Regular Average Ordinary Day
✏️Lisa Katzenberger
🎨Barbara Bakos
@penguinkids
Books are a wonderful way to connect with kids of Books are a wonderful way to connect with kids of all ages. One thing I love is finding books that make my kids get a case of the giggles. No matter how many times we have read these books, my kids still can’t help but LOL!😂😂😂

Which books give your kids the giggles?

Featured Books:
💜 The Book with No Pictures 
💙 Llama Destroys the World
🩵 Interrupting Chicken
💚 The Panda Problem
💛 Parfait, Not Parfait!
🧡 Neck & Neck
🩷 How to Feed Your Parents
Sometimes a book comes along and I don’t think t Sometimes a book comes along and I don’t think twice before I press Add to Cart. This is one of those books and I think you’ll love it, too!💙

In this story, a family spends the day at the beach. One boy builds a sandcastle while his brothers play soccer nearby. When their ball crushes the sandcastle, it stirs up a variety of emotions. Dad sits down to help the boy acknowledge, name, and process his feelings. 

“Your feelings are yours - each one is okay.
What you’re feeling today may soon go away.
Listen to your emotions - learn how to name them.
Then you’ll know better how to explain them.”

The message that it’s perfectly normal to have a wide range of feelings is one that boys need to hear more often. Pete Oswald has paired his rhyming text beautifully with detailed illustrations that only enhance this must-read book!💙 Swipe to take a peek inside.

Have you read this one yet?

The Noise Inside Boys: A Story About Big Feelings 
✏️🎨 Pete Oswald
@randomhousekids
“Life is better with friends. They make the good “Life is better with friends. They make the good times better and the tough times easier to bear.” Unknown

What do you love to do when you’re with your friends? If you are anything like me, it’s not about WHAT you do, but WHO you spend your time with. That’s just one reason I was drawn to Nothing’s Wrong.

In this story, Anders and Jeff are headed out for a picnic. After baking the most delicious apple pie, Anders discovers it was ruined by the rain. Worried it will spoil their outing, Anders pretends that nothing’s wrong, but Jeff gets the sense that his friend isn’t being honest. 
 
Should he give his friend space? 
Should he check in with his friend?
Should he help him out?
Or should he just be there by his side?

How can Jeff be a good friend if he doesn’t know what his friend might need?

This book combines laugh-out-loud humor with a heartwarming message about true friendship. It reminds readers that even when nothing seems to go right, a good friend will be there for you at the end of the day. 

Nothing’s Wrong
✏️ Jory John
🎨 Erin Kraan 

Thank you to @mackidsbooks for sharing this book with my family!❤️ 

#NothingsWrongBook
✏️I don’t know what to write! Have you hear ✏️I don’t know what to write!

Have you heard that one before? It happens. Kids get writer’s block. When they do, they will need some inspiration to get back on track. I like to use books and I have a new one I think you’ll love!

Birdie usually has no problem creating masterpieces. However, as the end of the school year gets closer, she’s struggling to get creative.

Have no fear, the Storytellers are here!

Soon, Birdie’s school supplies hatch a plan to spark wonder, build curiosity, and inspire new ideas. Will this plan get Birdie’s creative juices flowing, or will she be defeated yet again by her nemesis, the blank page?

This book would be a great addition to your writing mentor texts. It celebrates that kids are surrounded by inspiration and encourages them to begin with wonder.

Have you read this one yet?

The Storytellers Rule
✏️🎨Christy Mandin 
@harperkids

#thestorytellersrule

Copyright © 2023 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs