2 Simple Attention Getters for Kids, so Easy to Use!
There are so many attention getters for kids that teachers can use to quickly and easily get the attention of their students. I share two simple tools that I use in my classroom to quickly and quietly to grab the attention of my students.
But first, read the two scenarios below.
Attention Getter Scenario 1 | *Teacher shouts* “BOYS AND GIRLS! Let me have your ATTENTION!”
A few students stop what they are doing to look at their teacher, other children are still talking with their peers, some students are still working on the assignment, a couple are still walking around the classroom looking for the pencil sharpener.
Attention Getter Scenario 2 | *Teacher rings her classroom doorbell or chime..and doesn’t say a word*
All students immediately stop what they are doing upon hearing the calming bell sound, their eyes on the teacher, mouths closed, and hands on their shoulders…FROZEN.
Which scenario do you relate to more?
My BIGGEST FEAR when becoming a teacher was finding myself in situations like the first scenario. To avoid situations like that, I have two simple classroom management tools that I use as attention getters for kids in my classroom that promote calmness and quietness. Is quietness a word? Well, you know what I mean…something a bit more soothing. My classroom management style is all about keeping it zen, so it only made sense that my attention getters also jived with my management style.
Attention Getters for Kids #1 | Chime
I’ve been using the chime as an attention getter for 7 years now. I began using this zen chime during my first year of teaching. My school was big on Responsive Classroom {which I LOVED!} and using the chime was part of the Responsive Classroom approach. I loved that I could get my student’s attention quickly and easily in such a peaceful way. I highly recommend using a chime to get the attention of your students whether it’s time to switch math stations, line up for centers, etc. Click here to order one from Amazon! {affiliate link!}
Attention Getters for Kids #2 | Classroom Doorbell
Instagram made me do it. I saw the classroom doorbell all over instagram last year and of course I had to get it! Instagram is like peer pressure for teachers, but in a good way haha!
This wireless classroom doorbell is super simple to use and similar to the chime, it has a soft and soothing sound. I plug the doorbell into an outlet, then attach or clip the remote to my teacher lanyard, so that it’s with me at all times and I can literally ring the doorbell from anywhere in the room to get the attention of my kids quickly and easily! I ordered mine from Amazon and highly recommend it. Click here to order one for your classroom! {affiliate link!}
How I Use These Attention Getter Tools
I use the chime and doorbell as my “freeze signal”. When I need to get my student’s attention whether it’s for rotating through our reading and math rotations, transitioning into another subject, or lining up for lunch..all I need to do is ring the chime or press the button on my doorbell remote and I have their undivided attention!
And the best part.. I didn’t have to say a word. It’s literally amazing.
Once my students hear the sound, they know to immediately stop what they are doing, put their pencil, scissors, paper, math center, whatever it is, down so that absolutely nothing is in their hands, then they put their hands on their shoulders, and eyes on me.
After I’ve said what I needed to say or given instructions, they MUST wait for me to say “MELT”. Once I’ve said that word, they can “melt” or “unfreeze” themselves. But while I am speaking, they know to keep their hands on their shoulders and eyes on me.
This is one of the routines we practice, practice, practice on the very first day of school and continue to practice every day for the first month of school.
What Attention Getters Do You Use?
I hope you found this post helpful and were able to get some ideas for different attention getters to use with your kids! What attention getters do you use in your classroom? I’d love for you to post below!
Like I mentioned earlier in this post, you can order both the chime and doorbell from Amazon!
Click here for the chime.
Click here for the doorbell.
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