Attention Signals in the Classroom

You're up in front of the classroom teaching away to your students, talking about the changes in an ecosystem. The lesson is going well, until you find yourself raising your voice, trying to speak over students who are chatting with each other. The students have lost their focus. What should you do? Give an attention signal!

Attention signals are important in helping students stay focused throughout the lesson. There are a variety of attention signals that obtain students' attention and get them to continue behaving appropriately by listening to the teacher. When showing students a new signal, there are a few steps to teach an attention signal:

1. Decide on an attention signal.
2. Tell the attention signal to the class.
3. Model the attention signal.
4. Have the students practice the attention signal.
5. Use the signal if needed.

As I am observing my classmates teaching their lessons to fourth graders in fieldwork, I am noticing that it this class is very chatty and it can be hard to get their attention. Next week, I am going to be teaching the same class. After observing, I have decided on three attention signals that I feel are the most effective in the classroom!

Attention Signal 1: Call and Response

When using this signal, the teacher will call out a word or phrase and the call will respond with another word or phrase. These are usually catchy or sometimes can rhyme. The teacher will need to tell the students what the teacher will say first and what they should say after. The teacher also should let them know that when he or she calls a word or phrase, students should stop whatever they are doing and listen to the teacher. These are exciting to use in a classroom and it is also a great way to engage all the students as they chorally respond.

For example: 

     Teacher: "All set?" Class: "You bet!"

     Teacher: "Hocus Pocus" Class: "Everybody Focus."

     Teacher: "Ready to rock?" Class: "Ready to roll."

Here are more examples: 

Attention Signal 2: Raise Hand

This signal is a silent signal and is used to get students to stop talking and create silence in the classroom. The teacher will tell the students that if her or she raises his or her hand, they must stop talking and raise their hands as well. I have seen this in fieldwork and this is very effective. A variation of this is "quiet coyote" where the teacher will make a coyote signal and students will follow along.

Here is a picture of students making quiet coyote signals. 

Attention Signal 3: Turn Off Lights

Sometimes, the best way to get the class' attention is to turn off the lights. This signal is very distinct and can grab the class' attention quicker. Teachers should let the students know that if the lights get turned off, they must stop whatever they are doing. 

Attention Signal 4: Echo Clapping

 When using this signal, a teacher will create a clapping rhythm and students will copy that rhythm. Teachers should let the students know that after they finish copying the clapping rhythm, they should stop what they are doing. If it doesn't work the first time, try it again! 

If you try one of these signals and it doesn't work, try another one because maybe that signal doesn't work best for the class. Every class is different and sometimes you need to experiment with different ways to grab their attention. I will be using these four attention signals when I will teach in fieldwork.