> So, the problem
> really is one of teaching them what the proper volume level should
> be....somewhere above a whisper, but less than loud.

This was my most constant discipline issue for years, so I understand
what you are saying; it's not the talking, it's the volume.

I tried all sorts of things; including some of those mentioned -
nothing worked. I finally realized I had never taught them what I
wanted in a "lab voice."

This is going to sound silly, but I had to show the students what I
meant.

My students sat at lab tables, and my expectation for them was that
everyone at their table could hear them, but no one at any other table
could.

We had to practice this. I had one table talk and the others listen
until they couldn't make out what the talking table was saying. We did
this over and over until the kids understood what I meant.

Every time we changed groups (about once a month) we practiced again
with the new group.

Let's face it; a Physics First class is fun - lot's of active
labs, labs the kids can relate to, and you come across as a good
teacher - the kids are going to be excited.
They have to be taught to channel the excitement.

We cannot say "they have been in school for 9 years, they should know
how to behave." They don't. I'll bet you anything no one has ever
taught them how to talk in a lab. They have been taught lots of
things, but not that.

Give it a shot and see what happens.

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