25 Attention Getters to Calm A Noisy Classroom

1. I put a wireless doorbell in my classroom last year and it was magical! Get the kind that plays different songs and the kids love it – I carried the remote around with me and just clicked it when I needed their attention. -Alisa C. from First Grade Fun Times

2. Holy moly, guacamole! Zippity doo dah, zippity ay! Rachel G.

3. One day I was trying to come up with something different from what they may have had in the past, and then it hit me! I say “Alright stop!” And the students say “collaborate and listen!” It’s perfect because they really do have to do those things, come together and listen. I love it! It’s such a hit with them and parents. -Brieann W.

4. WBT- “Class Class Class”, they respond with “Yes, Yes, Yes”. In the exact same way the teacher said, whether a high or low voice, silly or whatever. -Heather S.

5. Macaroni and cheese! (They respond) everybody freeze! -Sue L.

6. One of my favorites is T: “Hocus Pocus” S: “Everybody focus!” -Jessica B

7. I say class they say yes. I say classity class class, they say yesity yes yes. My first graders love it. I change the tone of my voice and they change the tone in theirs. -Danielle R.

8. I knew one teacher that would use the McDonalds theme song. She would say ” ba da ba da ba” and the student would respond “I’m loving it”. -Maleisa C.

9. “Oh watch me watch me” and they say “Oh watch you, watch you!” It’s hilarious but all of them #watchme -Amy A.

10. I use a wind chime. Sometimes I say clap the answer…2+2, 4+3, and end with 7-7. -Molly F.

11. Anything that is a nonverbal such as a bell, chime or rainstick works well. I’ve also used typical call and response, but prefer the nonverbal attention getters. -Katie M.

12. My favorite comes from Dr. Jean…”Tootsie roll, lollipop. We’ve been talking, now let’s stop!” -Mandy D.

13. I say, “1, 2, 3 eyes on me!” They respond..”1, 2 eyes on you!” I love it, so do they and so did my administrators! -Anna M.

14. Teacher: “lets go Cubbies!” Students: reply with clapping… Clap clap clap clap clap. (Teachers can insert their favorite team or local team) -Sarah C. from Kindergarten Smarts

15. I actually just started using: Teacher- “peanut butter” Students- “jelly!” It’s working amazingly well! -Erin V.

16. Zip it, lock it, put it in your pocket is my favorite. -Sheri L.

17. As a high school teacher, I put up a picture on my projector screen. The kids are quick to sit down and hear what it is about. It leads to great discussions. I call it “The Picture of the Day.” -Denis C.

18. Give Me 3….stands for Stop Look & Listen -Kristen A.

19. Show me you’re thinking of me. -Sarah L.

20. Teacher, “Who’s the friend who likes to play?” Students, “Bing Bong, Bing Bong.” From Disney’s Inside Out. -Kresta L.

21. T: flat tire! S: sshhhhhhhhh -Laura C.

22. I say-POP. Kids say-corn. I say Apple kids say Sauce. I say hot kids say dog. I say milk kids say shake. You can do it with any word combo as long as kids know that when they say the word it means freeze and eyes on me. -Blue M.

23. My Bologna has a first name… They sing “It’s OSCAR” I play the commercial for them so they can hear the song. They LOVE it! -Emilee L

24. Teacher: 1, 2. Class: 3, 4. Teacher: let’s go. Class: out the door. -Amanda M.

25. If you can hear my voice, clap once. If you can hear my voice, clap twice. I start at a whisper and they are silent by 4 claps…best part is no yelling. Laura C.