5 Super Quick Ways to Get Students Attention
As a middle school Science teacher (or any teacher), we need to be able to get students attention pretty quickly. But how do we do that without yelling or getting frustrated? I don’t know about your classes, but some of mine (especially the huge ones) are loud and can’t always hear me when I need their attention.
So what do we do about it? That’s what we will explore today- 5 super quick ways to get students attention!
And if you have a talkative class like me, check out this blog post “I Need Help Managing a Talkative Classroom! What Should I Do?”
In this post
We will talk about how to get your students’ attention when you need it. These could be during times of working around the room or when you are giving direct instruction. I will also briefly share what part of the brain is activated when you get their attention. Then I will give you five strategies to get your students’ attention.
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Times to get students’ attention
Middle school kids love to talk to each other. They walk in the room ready to learn or ready to socialize.
Here are some examples of times we need to get their attention or when we need them to quiet down.
- Getting started for the class period and lesson
- Transitioning between activities
- When we realize we forgot to tell them something and need them to stop so we can tell them. (I do this quite often!)
- Time to clean up and discuss what we learned
- Announcement over the intercom or when admin walks in to say something
The brain responds when gaining students attention
It’s important to get students’ attention before giving a direction or relaying information. We need their brains to focus on what we are going to say to them.
The part of the brain that filters information and tells us what to focus on is the RAS, or reticular activating system. We have the ability to activate the RAS in our students’ brains. In addition to the attention getting strategies below, here are some other examples of what you can do throughout your lessons to activate the RAS.
-Tell a story
-Use novelty (images, activities, etc.)
-Use different voices
-Walk around the room, but stop at important points in your lesson
When you use a strategy to get their attention, you’ve activated the RAS- it is filtering out all the other distractions so the brain can focus on you, the teacher.
Strategies for getting students’ attention
There are many different ways to get your students’ attention. You may already have a way, but it’s a good idea to have a couple ready to go. Here are some strategies to get your students’ attention.
Use Sounds
You can signal with different types of sounds like a doorbell, bell, or chimes. I have used a “ding bell” for most of my career. I am trying a doorbell this year, but I’m finding it’s not loud enough for my larger classes. But, I do like the different sounds the doorbell can make. Using something with sound is a very simple way to get their attention.
Use Music
Who doesn’t like music? A way to use music as an attention-getting strategy is to choose one song (or two) that you teach students as your signal. You can choose one song each week so students don’t get too tired of the same song all year long.
Have your song ready to go on the computer or over a Bluetooth speaker. When you need their attention, press play.
At a training I went to years ago, the song she used was “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”. When she played it, we knew it was time to stop and be ready for her instruction. It was very effective!
Clap your Hands
You can use the rhythm of hand clapping to get your students’ attention. Students repeat your clapping pattern until you have their attention. Here’s what that could look like:
Teacher: Clap Clap
Some Students: Clap Clap
Teacher: Clap Clap Clap
More Students: Clap Clap Clap
Teacher: Clap
All Students: Clap
Use Chants
Saying a chant and having students either repeat it or finish the chant is a very fun and effective way to get students’ attention. At our school, we use our school’s name. Teachers and staff say the first part of the name and students say the second part.
Here are a few other examples:
“If you hear me clap once” (Students clap once) “If you hear me, put your hands on your head” (students put hands on their heads).
“Hands on top, everybody stop!” – Cynthia (Facebook post)
“Waterfall” (students- hand motion like water falling and they say “Shhhh”)
“Class Class” (Students: “Yes, Yes”) – From Whole Brain Teaching for Challenging Kids
“Wrap up your conversations in 3, 2, 1”.
Silence
Standing in front of the room in silence is a way to get students’ attention. This is an easy one to do, and it’s surprising what happens throughout the class.
I use this when my students are at their desks, and I’m getting close to feeling frustrated or they’re just louder than usual. Don’t use this when they are working around the room, because they won’t notice me.
I stand in silence and just watch them. I look at the clock or my watch. Sometimes I might change my stance to show that I am waiting. Several students will notice right away and tell others to be quiet. In about thirty seconds, the class is quiet and they are all looking at me.
That’s when I simply smile and thank them. Then I start talking.
Wrap Up
Getting your students’ attention in class does not have to be difficult or frustrating. We talked about the RAS, the part of the brain that allows us to focus on certain things. We also went over five attention getting strategies.
Your Turn
What are ways you get your students’ attention? Is there anything new you will try? Reply and let me know!
Read More and Products Mentioned
Blog: I Need Help Managing a Talkative Classroom! What Should I Do?
YouTube Video: I Need Help Managing a Talkative Classroom! What Should I Do?
Book: Whole Brain Teaching For Challenging Kids (and the rest of your class too!)
