Has anyone used this "bell" or will be using it this year? I was thinking it may be a fun addition to my 5th grade class. This is my first year teaching so I don't know if it would be effective at that grade level. What do you all think? If you haven't seen it you can check it out here: http://www.target.com/Classroom-Attention-Getter-Yell-Bell/dp/B001YSF8W2
It's not something I would use because I have a different style of getting my students attention. However, it is very cute!
What do you use instead Swansong? In my internship classroom I tried clapping patterns, call and response techniques, and signals like 2 fingers raised. My teacher I was under had one of those little silver counter bells and I could barely hear it so I knew some of the students didn't. I'm trying to find something that I can start with at the beginning of the year and stick to throughout.
Something fun I did during student teaching was use a doorbell. A box plugs into the wall--- it can have different bell rings and adjust the volume. It does get loud.
I don't teach kids that young; the youngest I've taught is 7th grade. But do 5th graders really still need something like that when you want their attention? Maybe I'm being naive, but couldn't you just say "Can I have your attention please?" ?? My daughter is going into 5th; I just can't imagine her or her classmates not knowing how to respond to that question. But then again, I've never taught elementary.
I think using any fun noise maker would be fun to use--- the doorbell is a hit with middle school kids so 5th graders may like it too. Also try- kazoo, harmonica, rain stick, WBT "Class-Yes"......
I say "1, 2, 3 eyes on me" and the kids immediately reply with "1, 2 eyes on you". Sometimes I might say it in a very very soft voice and the kids like to reply in the same soft voice. It works like a charm and doesn't cost 30 dollars!
I don't use noisemakers. I just say "I need your attention, please". If they are working on an activity and the noise level is a little louder I just go up to the front of the room and stand there for a few seconds. Someone is going to see me and pass the word to quiet down.When we are on the playground I raise my hand. One or two students will see that and tell the others it's time to line up. I don't have a loud voice, that's why I don't call out. Now, I have my students for several years, so I always have students who know our rules and help acclimate new students each year.
I say, "Everyone please stop, listen and look at me" then wait until they do--only takes a few seconds.
For upper grades I've used call and response, lights off, and even a windchime (this is my favorite!)
Haha... I always use the 1, 2, 3 eyes on me with my class, but had never heard of the response portion. Right now I am teaching summer school with students from other schools, and a handful of them pulled out the "1, 2 eyes on you" yesterday... and I was so confused! Now I guess I understand a little better!
One thing I had read somewhere (can't remember at the moment) was a call response technique where a teacher would say "Shark Bait" and the students respond "Ooh ha ha" which is from Finding Nemo. I think I am going to modify this for my class. I've got 5th graders and we learn about space so I was thinking about: Teacher: "To Infinity" Student: "And Beyond" Any other ideas?
I had a cowbell I used to use. I only did it when the other quieter ways didn't work. The kids couldn't stand the sound so eventually they would just see my going for it and they would stop before I even got there.
Cool item. Like others, I have my own ways, but if you think you will prefer that, go for it. It does seem a little pricey.
I usually just raise my hand. They know what to do. I do have a doorbell that I bought for less than $10 one year. I don't use it very often because I forget about it, and it seems like I am never near the button!
I either say "Eyes on me" which shouldn't take more than one second to quiet them down, or I count down "3... 2... 1" which allows them to finish their sentence if they are doing a partner share activity. They are never loud enough that I would need a bell.
A third grade teacher i know bought one,Its awesome. the kids really liked it. when they use to go out on the play ground she didn't have to yell she just did the bell and they came! it was nice and its loud... Ya it cost $30 but she said it was worth it. this year all of the 3rd grade teachers have one! and each class has a different sound, its really neat! I AM GOING TO GET ONE!!!!
I agree that it is a little pricey, but I think it would work great. I do think having a variety of ways to get their attention is a good strategy. Changing it up every so often has been effective for me. I do clap patterns, Give Me Five, and countdowns. I also sometimes say, "One for Five Time" when I am waiting for them to quiet down which means for every minute I need to wait for them, they owe my five minutes of recess or free time. One idea that I got from AtoZ that I love is that whenever they get a bit too loud in groups or whatever they are working on, I play a music box. One of those that has a stopper of some sort so that you can turn it on and off. I wind it up each Monday morning, let it play when things need to quiet down, and then if there is any music still left to play at 3:30 on Fridays, they earn an extra recess. It seems to motivate them and saves me from falling into a nagging pattern. It also works much more quickly than standing and waiting until everyone is quiet...as soon as they hear the first note, they quiet down or turn to look at me, whichever behavior is warrented.
I was at Target today and saw a little sign that says "Eyes on Me". The first thing I thought of when I saw it was this thread lol :lol: It came with another sign in a pack of 2. I know it doesn't make the noise you want and I don't know how well it would work with 5th graders but it's just a thought
Respond with a softer sound-common definitions Having taught from grades K through 8th, I find that when I try to be louder than my students, THEY get LOUDER. I can't see using louder noises as being effective. If anything, I would use softer, unusual noise makers. I have some soft chimes in my room, but I don't often use those just because I don't want to have to walk across the room over to where they are kept. I've heard of some teachers keeping those outdoor hanging garden chimes to get their students' attention, too. Rather than make louder noises, I simply raise my hand and say in a regular, calm voice, "If you can hear me, raise your hand and wait for further directions." As soon as one or two raise their hands, I thank them and say it again. As more students raise their hands, more of them respond. Those few times when I'm not getting the response I want, I will walk over to those who are still talking, continuing to remain calm (at least outwardly!). Walking over to talkers has always done the trick. Fortunately, I can count on one hand the times I've had to do this in all my years of teaching. It also helps when everyone has a common understanding of how loud the group can be. I use a number system similar to one that I've seen on other sites: Level 0-NO TALKING at all-Used during testing or individual work Level 1-Whisper talk-I teach them what it is to whisper and what it is to talk quietly Level 2-Partner talk-Talking quietly so only the partners hear each other Level 3-Group talk-Talk loud enough to be heard across the room Level 4-Too loud for the room Level 5-Outside recess talk
I have a very strong voice that tends to carry even at "normal" conversation levels. When necessary, I can shout over an entire class/cafeteria/bus full of students. That usually is not necessary though. Most often, I simply stop talking altogether and look at the students. As a PP said, it only takes a couple of seconds for 1 or 2 of them to notice and start telling others to be quiet. Once the class/group has become quiet, I will give them my "stern lecture" voice, which is normal level, but somewhat deep, so it tends to resonate around the room. I remind them of our rules of courtesy and respect in the classroom and explain, once again, that I expect those rules to be followed at all times. When I do feel I need to shout at the students, it definitely gets their attention in a hurry. First of all, my voice is very sharp when I do that and, secondly, they are usually stunned at the sheer volume I produce. I have to use it every once in a while to get the attention of a particularly rowdy group, but I've never had to use it more than once on the same group. Still, that is not the image or personality I want to project, so I look for other methods. This is one of the main reasons I will be using WBT. It works great for getting - and keeping - the student's attention. It also makes the lesson more fun and exciting, so the students want to pay attention. This is, by far, the best technique I've found to date.
This describes me as well. I don't tend to use my "loud" voice very often--if I yell, they know it's bad.
I do a countdown and the clapping pattern. If they get too out of hand, I turn the lights off. That works.
I stand at the front of the room and say, "If you can hear me put your finger on your nose, if you can hear me put your hands on your head..." I keep giving little directions until I have everyone's attention. Once in a while if I have a couple students who don't see what's happening I'll say "If you can hear my voice say Johnny" When they hear the whole class saying thier name it generally gets their attention.
