Hi, I am doing my practicum in 5th grade class, But I need help on what kind of attention getter strategy to use when I start my lesson, or moving from one activity to another, their transition time is very slow and as result I'm running short on instructional time. How to get their attention quick? to make them listen and follow my directions quick? Please help me by sharing what have you done in your classroom to get them moving!
Transitions are definitely a challenge and a very important part of management for me. I think the most important thing is to be ready to move on to the next thing before you ask students to listen or be quiet. So many teachers stumble during transitions by getting the kids attention, then having nothing to say or do immediately afterwards. The kids learn to ignore requests to be quiet if they know it will still be several minutes before moving on. I usually start a lesson with something concrete. Perhaps the kids have a hands-on object or demonstration to view, read a portion of a picture book that relates to our topic, or show a YouTube video or PowerPoint slide with images of our lesson. While you're wrapping up that presentation and conversation, begin passing out papers for the next segment without even pausing. Don't ever stop! I make use of "your time" and "my time" during independent practice. When kids are free to talk quietly and do their work, I say "your time." If I need their attention briefly, I usually say "real quick guys..." , perhaps blink the lights, and tell them a quick hint. When it is time to return attention to me, I say "my time," perhaps count down from 3 if there is a lot of talking, then be stern about them being quiet and listening. Call out a few kids who are still talking, then be ready to say something important and move on. The element that is not easy to describe is how to have a presence in the classroom and be engaging and interesting. Part of it is acting, part of it is rapport, and a lot of it is planning your lesson and making sure you're always ready with the next thing. Sometimes whispering can be just as good at getting the kids' attention as yelling. Sometimes standing at the front of the classroom with materials in hand gets the kids' attention without even speaking as they are curious to see what we'll be doing next. It definitely takes a lot of practice! Portray confidence, have interest in them, and be enthusiastic about your lesson. Good luck!
I've used a squeaker (a dog toy actually) that when they hear it they know to stop, look, and listen.
anything with a unique noise I know a lot of teachers swear by the class...yes, but it drove me nuts really fast. Just like new2grade4 I use a noise, any new fun sound I can find that will fill the room, to get kids ready to listen. If I have time I write on the board what is needed before getting their attention so all they need to do is look at the board and follow directions to be ready.
My student teacher has been struggling with transitions and attention getters. Some of the ones that are effective for me are: -chants (T: "Stop, collaborate and..." Students: "Listen!", local university chant where students say the team name and show the team hand sign) -claps (T claps a pattern, students respond by clapping back) -"If you can heard my voice, pencils down. If you can hear my voice, snap your fingers twice. If you can hear my voice, touch your nose..." -countdowns (I need science journals out in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1) As another post said -and as I frequently tell my student teacher- don't leave down time between the parts of your lesson. Keep it fluid and keep yourself organized... assign students pass out papers and materials so that you can keep the rest of the class engaged and on-task. I like beginning new content on the carpet so that kids are physically within reach and we can have discussions that feel like real conversations, then I give instructions before they head back to their seats so that students get straight to work. If students are missing worksheets or materials, everything is centralized or has its location described so they can take care of themselves and not slow down the lesson.
That's the key right there! If you're walking from row to row collecting the quizzes, and the kids have nothing they're supposed to be doing, then they're going to talk. If, on the other hand, there's a problem on the board before you collect the quizzes, they know that as soon as they pass up the quiz they need to start the problem. There simply isn't time to talk, there's something they're supposed to be doing. It really does cut down on the chatter. But it requires you to be uber-prepared, and to really stop and look at all the transitions. You have to be proactive about it-- get the next activity started before this activity ends. I don't have "attention getters." I'm the teacher, I get the attention. And there's always another problem waiting to be done.
I have chimes in my class that I use when my students are working and I need their attention. It's very effective and calming.
Thank you Thank you all for sharing your strategies, I have been used clapping hands, and recently used what wrice posted about "my time" and "your time" and seems to work for now. But as we moving on and they get to know me more I hope they will follow my directions quickly. See what happens!
I HAVE used the class-yes...and it works VERY well with 5th graders. I swear by power teaching... though i do change things up from tie to time to keep it fresh. Regarding transitions - I liked what Ron Clark had to say. He would express to the kids how much time was wasted - and therefore they would have everything they needed for the morning/afternoon at the corner of their desks (in order). text books with book marks set in the right page, notebooks, etc. the bookmarked pages were marked on the board (as was the daily agenda). So the transition was done within 10 seconds. The book you are using is closed. Papers put in their notebook neatly. Place on the desk in a pile. Place the morning's pile on top on it. Slide it back to the corner of the desk. Take the top book (the next subject) and open it to the bookmarked page. BINGO.
