ABSTRACT
Quickly gaining the attention of all students at once is significant in managing the classroom. Consider this scenario: The class is working, with some students at their desks, a few at centers, and others participating in a small group with you. You have been concentrating so much on the small group that you lost track of time and now realize it’s time for school pictures! A quick departure is essential. How do you get their attention so that students gather and depart expediently? These strategies have worked well for many elementary teachers:
Give me five. Say “give me five” and hold up your hand with fingers open. As soon as the students hear the command, they also raise their hand. The teacher then counts down (5, 4, etc.), lowering a finger on each count.
Call and recall. Say a predetermined phrase that calls for a student response. For example, You say, “We are …,” and the students respond “number one.” This call-out is repeated three times.
Clap. Clap a pattern that the students know to repeat or designate the pattern in the moment. For example, “Clap once if you can hear me (clap); clap twice if you can hear me (clap, clap); and clap three times if you can hear me (clap, clap, clap).”
Hand-raise. Moving to the front of the classroom, raise your hand, and place a finger of your other hand to your lips to perform a silent “shh.” If you taught students this procedure, they know to quit talking, stop what they are doing, and raise a hand too.
Chimes. Sound a chime for an effective and peaceful way to gain the entire class’s attention.
Simon Says. Simply pick an action, such as touching your head, and say “If you can hear me, do this.” Students must look at you to know what to do. Repeat three times with three different actions.
