Can I have your ATTENTION, please?

How do you quiet that noisy class and get them back on track?  Do you sing, chant, countdown, ring a bell or be still and quiet?   Do you have just one single attention grabber or a collection of many?  Whatever your style is the end goal is the same, you want to grab students attention, settle them down, and get them back on track to learn!  I've always used a variety of attention grabbers and enjoy learning new ones to try out.  Some might be considered a little boring, while others are a little more quirky and fun, but either way they work as long as I have clearly taught and practiced my expectations for each.  Here are a few of my go to attention grabbers to calm that noisy class...

1. Calling all my Vanilla Ice fans... this next attention getter is fun and you better believe I say it in the same tone/manner as the song.  You say "Alright Stop" and students respond "Collaborate and Listen."  This one always has me smiling.

2. The one and only "Class... Yes!"  Yep, that's right I'm a whole brainer.  Not a rigid whole brainer but one that believes in this management style and has used a variety of whole brain teaching strategies in my own classroom.  Simply say "Class" and have students respond with "Yes."  You can change up the tone and intensity and students must respond in the same manner.  Here is a link to the whole brain teaching website where you can learn more about this attention grabber and check out MORE awesome classroom management strategies. 

3. The traditional old school BELL!  I have used a bell in the past and it always works great.  It is loud and definitely stops students.  In my classroom when students hear the bell they most stop and freeze with their hands on their heads.  I have also heard of teachers using doorbells which I think is a really good idea!

4. A calm modified version of simon says.  "If you can hear my voice touch your nose.  If you can hear my voice touch your shoulder.  If you can hear my voice hop."  This attention getter always works but sometimes takes a minute for students to catch on.  I like it because it asks them to stop and really pay attention and follow what you are saying.  Plus it's done in such a calm tone that it helps you relax too!

5. This one I learned from my mom and use it frequently... "Ready Set... You bet!"

6. When I taught kinder I had the opportunity to see my first grade teacher friend in action and I totally "stole" one of her attention grabbers which became one of my forever go-to's.  When her class was a bit noisy she simply started making a "ch" sound in a tune/pattern in which the students then had to respond with the same tune/pattern.  It could be as simple as "ch -ch" or more complicated like saying "ch" to the tune of your favorite rhyme.  It always seemed to work for me!

7. How about using "Quiet Spray!"  This is such a fun idea and a great way to quiet the kiddos down.  I found this idea on Pinterest and the label can be found HERE for FREE by the awesome Tiffany Gannon.

Click here for Original Pin

These are just a few of my favorites.  What do you do to get your classes attention?

Five for Friday: 2/6/15

Hi Friends!  Just a quick blog post for my favorite linky with Doodle Bugs Teaching!

I just finished my Presidents' Day flip book!  I am super excited about this little guy.  Plus I included some extra printables in the set too.  Check it out HERE if you are in need of something Presidents' Day themed.

 Graphics From the Pond

http://frompond.blogspot.com

PAWS Sheets.  Have you ever used these in your class?  I'm not sure where I came across this idea but it's a good one! Sometimes a student is off task and you just need them to pause and think about what they are doing.  "PAWS"  sheets do just that.  I would use them when I pulled small groups and other students were suppose to be working independently.  If a student was way off task or just needed a break I would simply say "John PAWS."   The student knew this meant he had to stop what he was doing, grab a "PAWS" sheet and begin completing it.  I also had an assigned spot near to me where they had to sit to do this.  Then when I got my small group working or had a moment I would talk with the student about why they had to pause.  This little strategy helped because who wants to sit near the teacher doing independent work when they could be completing a fun center?  If you want to try this idea click the download above to grab it FREE.

Yum!  Tried out my pizza stone for the first time this week.  I like a crispy crust and although it wasn't perfect it was way better than ever before.  Any tips on how to get that perfect crispy crust?

The hubs and I found out our gender scan is scheduled for the 22nd!  Eeeek!  We are so excited.  He says boy and I really just don't know.  It really doesn't matter either way, but I am eager to find out so I can start shopping. Ha-Ha

Just look at those two perfectly partner reading.  Love it!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Five for Friday: Great News!

Hi lovely readers!  I am so excited for this Five For Friday post with Doodle Bugs Teaching because I am sharing some very exciting news.  So let's get on with it!

Yes, you read that correctly!  The hubs and I are expecting our first baby in early August!  We are so happy and excited for what the future holds.  It's going to be a little hard seeing as we aren't surrounded by our family and friends, but I am happy knowing that I will be able to be at home for baby's first year.  It actually is perfect timing because we are due to move back to the states in July next year, which means we'll be coming home with an almost 1 year old.  Crazy!  Anyway we are thrilled!

While visiting home for the holidays we announced our great news and videoed their reactions!  Here's the link if you'd like to see how are loved ones reacted. :)

Ok, back to education news.  Do you have a student who constantly needs reminding to stay on task or seems to always be seeking attention in a negative way.  If so, here's a strategy I learned from a special education teacher that has worked for a variety of my students in the past.  The picture above is of a behavior visual card.  Basically all you do is cut out 2 different colors of a 3x5 rectangle.  Then glue these together so that each side is a different color.  For example I used red and green.  To use the card discuss how one color (green) means on task and one means off task (red).  Then place the card on the students desk.  If they are on task the card is green if they are off task simply flip the card to red.  No need to call their name out or interrupt your teaching.  Then if they are back on task turn it back to green.  It's a simple strategy that I found very helpful!

Hopefully you remembered to complete your prediction graphs for Groundhog Day!  Here's a simple student graph I'd have the kiddos complete to accompany a class graph answering the question "Do you think the groundhog will see his shadow?" Now to see what happens on Monday...

This week I did some winter cleaning.  Here are 3 bags of clothes ready to donate.  It always feels good to get rid of extra things that are just taking up space.  I plan to do some more deep cleaning in the next few weeks.  

Well that's it for this week.  Now off to the gym I go.  I'm trying to stay motivated to workout even though my body seems to be oh so tired from this growing baby. :)

Five for Friday: 12/5

Another Friday is here and so of course I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for...

This weeks post is a mix of all the things I've been up to in the last couple of weeks.  I swear the time has flown by and I can't believe that it is December 5th!  Say what?!  

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.... I know you've probably seen this song phrase posted all over the place but I can't help myself!   This is the first song that comes to mind for the season and I like it!  The weekend before Thanksgiving the hubs and I put up our Christmas decor.  We always have fun pulling out the Christmas boxes, turning on the holiday tunes, and drinking cocoa as we decorate.  I love walking into the living room and seeing the tree glow, it always makes for a happy start to the day.  

My husband had a 4 day weekend because of Thanksgiving so we decided to head out of town and explore Belgium!  Have you ever been?  We visited Brussels and Brugge, both of which are great cities to see.  I was really excited because the Christmas markets were in full swing so we were able to enjoy the lights, music, holiday foods, and treats.  Oh and the CHOCOLATE!  Yes, it was delicious!  This is the Grand Place Square in Brussels.  It has to be one of the most beautiful squares we've seen!

A holiday FREEBIE for all of you!  I was talking to my mom last week when she asked if I could whip up a Christmas themed syllable sort for her to use with her class so here it is.  I thought I'd share it with all of you as well!  Just click above to download it.  It includes 27 picture cards to sort by 1,2, and 3 syllables, chart headers, and a practice cut/paste page activity for your kiddos to do as follow up.

With December comes class Christmas crafts and with crafts comes a mess!  Today I thought I'd share a little clean up tip that the kiddos just love and it really does help ensure that everyone is cleaning up and that your room is left tidy.  It's called "Magic Mess!"  I learned this little tip from my host teacher when I was student teaching and have used it every year since!  So what is "Magic Mess?"  Well, it is a piece of trash, a marker, a pair of scissors, really whatever you choose that needs to be cleaned up.  As everyone starts to tidy you call out " I spy a magic mess."  Students do not know what the "mess" is so they continue to clean up everything in sight.  The goal is that by the end of tidy up time someone has picked up, thrown away, or put away that "magic mess."  At the end of tidy up time you announce who that person was and they get some kind of reward (sticker, first in line etc.)  The kids really like it and it really does help make sure everyone is cleaning.  If someone picks up the "mess" and there's still cleaning to be done I tend to call out "I still see it."  This seems to keep kids going as I am the only one who really knows what the "magic mess" is. He-He

Now don't call me crazy but I'm starting to think about January themes and have been working on a few new creations.  One of which is this little penguin craft that becomes the perfect cover for students "All About Penguins" writing.  When do you plan/prep your January themes?

Have a great weekend!

Five For Friday!

Cold Shower!!! After going to the gym yesterday I came home to get cleaned up when I discovered that we had no hot water or heat.  Turns out our boiler isn't working!  Not the best news after a sweaty gym sesh, but what can ya do?  Seeing as I'm so handy I tried to fix the problem myself, but as it usually goes I needed to call for back up.  After setting up an appointment to have someone come look at it, it was time to brace myself for the cold.  So a cold shower and bundled up night it was. The good news is someone is coming to fix it  today AND I don't feel the least bit guilty about still wearing my robe around the house.  Plus, since I'm all wrapped up with a cup of coffee I'd say it's the perfect time to link up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday. 

Yesterday I did my final edit and posted my Thanksgiving Day Unit to TpT.  I was so happy to finish up this unit in time for the holiday.  It's full of printables, thinking maps, crafts, and more!  If I had to pick out my favorite thing it'd probably be these cute craft writing displays.  I think they'd be perfect mixed and matched on a bulletin board!  Feel Free to check it out if you're still looking for some Turkey Day Fun!

On Monday night the hubs and I went to see the Book of Mormon in London.  We LOVED it!  Seriously, it was so funny and the cast was amazing.  We got a great deal because we purchased our tickets on base (U.S. Air Force Base) and it even included our transportation to the city.  Before the show we ate at a delicious Mediterranean restaurant.  I was a little hesitant at first, but both of our meals were fantastic.  If you have the chance to see this show I definitely recommend it, but do note, it's not for kids.... AT ALL!  Ha-Ha

Generally around this time of year I feel like the kiddos start to get a little more chatty.  I mean who doesn't with all the holiday excitement?  But, for teachers this extra chattering can lead to frustration.  I know that one tool I love is my voice level chart.  Do you use one?  I like this chart because it relates voice levels to numbers which makes it easy to "check" our voice levels throughout the day.  I introduce this chart on the first day of school and use it everyday after.  To teach students I model and then we practice by acting out or playing games.  Before sending students off to work on a task, center, or activity, I have students show me the voice level number and then we practice.  If voices get to loud while they're working all I have to say is "Class... Voice Level Please"  they hold up their finger showing me the current level they should be using.  This is just a subtle reminder and is generally all they need. :)

Look at my coffee cup!  I had to show you this because here in England they have a coffee shop called Costa and I like their cups even more than Starbucks red holiday cups.  They are just adorable!  They have a reindeer, santa, and elf cup too!

Wellies!  Yep, it's suppose to be another rainy weekend here so I pulled out my Joules and am preparing myself for the puddles.  

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend.  Be sure to link up and check out others Five for Friday by clicking below.  And if you're not already following me I'd be thrilled to have you tag along. :) Happy Friday!