Classroom Signals/Cues

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Classroom Management Chatboard

Classroom Signals/Cues

by Jenna

Sep 23, 2014

Hi all,

Stronge, Tucker & Hindman mention that both novice and experienced teachers with effective management skills can learn "tricks of the trade from watching other teachers, reading about the topic, and reflecting on what is occurring in their classrooms," (2004, p. 64). With that, I thought this would be a great spot for us to share our classroom signals/cues to get our students' attention. Maybe you have a special way to get your kids re-focused after recess or maybe you sing or chant something special. I'll share a few of my methods, and then hopefully you'll be able to share your expertise for your situation/age group.

1. Chimes- I purchased a set of chimes from Really Good Stuff and it's a nice, calming method to get students' attention. I don't need to use my voice at all...just a swipe of the chime and I have students quiet and listening. It's fabulous! 2. When we're working on whiteboards, to get my kids ready to listen for the direction, I say loudl...See More

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Giovanna Doll Hi Jenna,

I like your classroom cues. Thanks for sharing. I do not teach kids. However, with adults I use some non-verbal cues such as eye contact, proximity (walking slowly toward the student), placing my hand on the student’s desk or on the back of his/her chair. These cues work most of the time.

Giovanna

On 9/23/14, ...See MoreHi Jenna,

I like your classroom cues. Thanks for sharing. I do not teach kids. However, with adults I use some non-verbal cues such as eye contact, proximity (walking slowly toward the student), placing my hand on the student’s desk or on the back of his/her chair. These cues work most of the time.

Giovanna

On 9/23/14, Jenna wrote: > Hi all, > > Stronge, Tucker & Hindman mention that both novice and > experienced teachers with effective management skills can > learn "tricks of the trade from watching other teachers, > reading about the topic, and reflecting on what is > occurring in their classrooms," (2004, p. 64). With that, > I thought this would be a great spot for us to share our > classroom signals/cues to get our students' attention. > Maybe you have a special way to get your kids re-focused > after recess or maybe you sing or chant something > special. I'll share a few of my methods, and then > hopefully you'll be able to share your expertise for your > situation/age group. > > 1. Chimes- I purchased a set of chimes from Really Good > Stuff and it's a nice, calming method to get students' > attention. I don't need to use my voice at all...just a > swipe of the chime and I have students quiet and > listening. It's fabulous! > 2. When we're working on whiteboards, to get my kids > ready to listen for the direction, I say loudly, > "Marker's UP!" And they repeat, "Marker's UP!" And their > markers go up in the air and they're ready to write. > 3. I often say, "If you can hear me touch your nose, if > you can hear me touch your toes, if you can hear me put > your hands on your head..." My voice gets slightly > quieter as I name each step. This works really well for > some reason. > > I can't wait to hear your tips and strategies to gain > your kids' attention with signals and cues. > > Jenna > > References: > Stronge, J., Tucker, P., & Hindman, J. (2004). Handbook > for qualities of effective teachers. > Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and > Curriculum Development. >

Sep 24, 2014

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PamG Hi -

I observed a 4th grade teacher doing a countdown to refocus students, 5,4,3,2,1. I actually used this when I was training a large group of teachers. I did this because I really did need to get their attention, and I used this technique because it was silly enough that they liked it, but weren't offended. I told them I'd learned it in...See More

Sep 24, 2014

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Don I find that for both children and adults, a verbal signal such as, "If you can hear me clap once.....Students clap once..... if you can hear me clap twice.... students clap twice" really works. I have had groups of kids that would focus as soon as they would clap once, and there are those who take a second to focus, that's why I repeat it with clap...See MoreI find that for both children and adults, a verbal signal such as, "If you can hear me clap once.....Students clap once..... if you can hear me clap twice.... students clap twice" really works. I have had groups of kids that would focus as soon as they would clap once, and there are those who take a second to focus, that's why I repeat it with clapping twice. I make it known in the beginning of the year that I will not go over two claps because no one should be talking after that. I have used this with my coworkers while I was presenting materials from a conference, and they all seemed to really like it. The best thing about it, is that it works with HUGE groups as well. It is the same concept of the "touch your toes" example, I just like the noise aspect of this signal.

Don

On 9/24/14, Giovanna Doll wrote: > Hi Jenna, > > I like your classroom cues. Thanks for sharing. I do not teach > kids. However, with adults I use some non-verbal cues such as > eye contact, proximity (walking slowly toward the student), > placing my hand on the student’s desk or on the back of > his/her chair. These cues work most of the time. > > Giovanna > > > > > On 9/23/14, Jenna wrote: >> Hi all, >> >> Stronge, Tucker & Hindman mention that both novice and >> experienced teachers with effective management skills can >> learn "tricks of the trade from watching other teachers, >> reading about the topic, and reflecting on what is >> occurring in their classrooms," (2004, p. 64). With that, >> I thought this would be a great spot for us to share our >> classroom signals/cues to get our students' attention. >> Maybe you have a special way to get your kids re-focused >> after recess or maybe you sing or chant something >> special. I'll share a few of my methods, and then >> hopefully you'll be able to share your expertise for your >> situation/age group. >> >> 1. Chimes- I purchased a set of chimes from Really Good >> Stuff and it's a nice, calming method to get students' >> attention. I don't need to use my voice at all...just a >> swipe of the chime and I have students quiet and >> listening. It's fabulous! >> 2. When we're working on whiteboards, to get my kids >> ready to listen for the direction, I say loudly, >> "Marker's UP!" And they repeat, "Marker's UP!" And their >> markers go up in the air and they're ready to write. >> 3. I often say, "If you can hear me touch your nose, if >> you can hear me touch your toes, if you can hear me put >> your hands on your head..." My voice gets slightly >> quieter as I name each step. This works really well for >> some reason. >> >> I can't wait to hear your tips and strategies to gain >> your kids' attention with signals and cues. >> >> Jenna >> >> References: >> Stronge, J., Tucker, P., & Hindman, J. (2004). Handbook >> for qualities of effective teachers. >> Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and >> Curriculum Development. >>

Sep 24, 2014

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Jen C. Giovanna,

These are good ways to get the attention of adults. I tell my adult learners at the beginning of class that a visual clue for them to know I need their attention is as soon as I display something on the projector. This usually works well at the conclusion of break time. They will stop chatting once they see me do this.

J...See MoreGiovanna,

These are good ways to get the attention of adults. I tell my adult learners at the beginning of class that a visual clue for them to know I need their attention is as soon as I display something on the projector. This usually works well at the conclusion of break time. They will stop chatting once they see me do this.

Jen

On 9/24/14, Giovanna Doll wrote: > Hi Jenna, > > I like your classroom cues. Thanks for sharing. I do not teach > kids. However, with adults I use some non-verbal cues such as > eye contact, proximity (walking slowly toward the student), > placing my hand on the student’s desk or on the back of > his/her chair. These cues work most of the time. > > Giovanna > > > > > On 9/23/14, Jenna wrote: >> Hi all, >> >> Stronge, Tucker & Hindman mention that both novice and >> experienced teachers with effective management skills can >> learn "tricks of the trade from watching other teachers, >> reading about the topic, and reflecting on what is >> occurring in their classrooms," (2004, p. 64). With that, >> I thought this would be a great spot for us to share our >> classroom signals/cues to get our students' attention. >> Maybe you have a special way to get your kids re-focused >> after recess or maybe you sing or chant something >> special. I'll share a few of my methods, and then >> hopefully you'll be able to share your expertise for your >> situation/age group. >> >> 1. Chimes- I purchased a set of chimes from Really Good >> Stuff and it's a nice, calming method to get students' >> attention. I don't need to use my voice at all...just a >> swipe of the chime and I have students quiet and >> listening. It's fabulous! >> 2. When we're working on whiteboards, to get my kids >> ready to listen for the direction, I say loudly, >> "Marker's UP!" And they repeat, "Marker's UP!" And their >> markers go up in the air and they're ready to write. >> 3. I often say, "If you can hear me touch your nose, if >> you can hear me touch your toes, if you can hear me put >> your hands on your head..." My voice gets slightly >> quieter as I name each step. This works really well for >> some reason. >> >> I can't wait to hear your tips and strategies to gain >> your kids' attention with signals and cues. >> >> Jenna >> >> References: >> Stronge, J., Tucker, P., & Hindman, J. (2004). Handbook >> for qualities of effective teachers. >> Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and >> Curriculum Development. >>

Sep 27, 2014

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Beccah A few years ago, I tried to use "Whole Brain Teaching" in my classroom. While I had a hard time incorporating all aspects of the program, the part that always stuck with me is the call and response that they use to get the classes attention.

While this is simple and easy, it has been amazingly affective in all school settings (fire drill, ...See MoreA few years ago, I tried to use "Whole Brain Teaching" in my classroom. While I had a hard time incorporating all aspects of the program, the part that always stuck with me is the call and response that they use to get the classes attention.

While this is simple and easy, it has been amazingly affective in all school settings (fire drill, assembly, etc.)

It's called the "Class/Yes" response. You say "class" and they respond with "yes". Easy, right? The best part, is that you are supposed to say "class" in different ways (high pitch, low pitch, two times, in a pirate voice, etc.) and the students have to respond back with "yes" in the same way.

I found that my fall back was "class, class" to which they responded "yes, yes".

Has anyone else used any of the whole brain teaching methods?

On 9/27/14, Jen C. wrote: > Giovanna, > > These are good ways to get the attention of adults. I tell my > adult learners at the beginning of class that a visual clue for > them to know I need their attention is as soon as I display > something on the projector. This usually works well at the > conclusion of break time. They will stop chatting once they see > me do this. > > Jen > > On 9/24/14, Giovanna Doll wrote: >> Hi Jenna, >> >> I like your classroom cues. Thanks for sharing. I do not > teach >> kids. However, with adults I use some non-verbal cues such as >> eye contact, proximity (walking slowly toward the student), >> placing my hand on the student’s desk or on the back of >> his/her chair. These cues work most of the time. >> >> Giovanna >> >> >> >> >> On 9/23/14, Jenna wrote: >>> Hi all, >>> >>> Stronge, Tucker & Hindman mention that both novice and >>> experienced teachers with effective management skills can >>> learn "tricks of the trade from watching other teachers, >>> reading about the topic, and reflecting on what is >>> occurring in their classrooms," (2004, p. 64). With that, >>> I thought this would be a great spot for us to share our >>> classroom signals/cues to get our students' attention. >>> Maybe you have a special way to get your kids re-focused >>> after recess or maybe you sing or chant something >>> special. I'll share a few of my methods, and then >>> hopefully you'll be able to share your expertise for your >>> situation/age group. >>> >>> 1. Chimes- I purchased a set of chimes from Really Good >>> Stuff and it's a nice, calming method to get students' >>> attention. I don't need to use my voice at all...just a >>> swipe of the chime and I have students quiet and >>> listening. It's fabulous! >>> 2. When we're working on whiteboards, to get my kids >>> ready to listen for the direction, I say loudly, >>> "Marker's UP!" And they repeat, "Marker's UP!" And their >>> markers go up in the air and they're ready to write. >>> 3. I often say, "If you can hear me touch your nose, if >>> you can hear me touch your toes, if you can hear me put >>> your hands on your head..." My voice gets slightly >>> quieter as I name each step. This works really well for >>> some reason. >>> >>> I can't wait to hear your tips and strategies to gain >>> your kids' attention with signals and cues. >>> >>> Jenna >>> >>> References: >>> Stronge, J., Tucker, P., & Hindman, J. (2004). Handbook >>> for qualities of effective teachers. >>> Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and >>> Curriculum Development. >>>

Sep 28, 2014

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