Attention, Please!
How to use attention-getting strategies to focus or refocus student attention quickly and effectively.
Clap Once, Clap Twice: When getting student attention, you can say (not yell), "If you can hear me, clap once." Some may clap, but if you don't have the attention of all, try, "If you can hear me, clap twice." If you still have any students talking or off-task, you can now address them individually or in small groups (Manny, are you with us? Group 3, I need to to focus up here...).
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Gimme 5: This is a countdown method, giving students a few seconds to quiet down and focus. Hold up five fingers and tell students, "Give me your attention in 5...4...3...2...1. If anyone is still talking, address them individually and or in small groups. Use proximity if necessary, standing by the talkers.
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Countdown Timer: There are many digital and online countdown timers you can use. Give a warning, "You have 1 minute to wrap it up..."
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Stop Light: There are desktop stoplights that you can set to go from green (open to discuss, talk) to yellow (begin to wrap it up/quiet down, to red (stop now).
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One-Minute Wonder: Turn on music for a period of time (you decide in advance and let students become accustomed to the time. This provides a (typically one-minute) countdown. If you have control over volume, gradually turn it down in the last 10 seconds or so.
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Sound effects: You can choose and upload a specific sound effect online (leave it on your desktop. A buzzer or a horn works well. This is a good attention-getter when you are looking for a quick transition (rather than a gradual wrap-up).
