How to make a noisy class quiet - Classroom Management Strategies for teachers with a loud class

Etacude English Teachers
3 Mar 202010:07
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this educational video, Eric from Etiquette shares effective strategies for managing noise and gaining students' attention in a classroom setting. He advises against shouting and instead suggests using call and response techniques, giving the silent treatment appropriately, and employing various engaging activities like rhythm claps and animal sounds. Techniques such as 'three to one rules' and 'water and ice' are highlighted for their ability to transition students from noise to focus. The importance of establishing these methods from the first week of school is emphasized to ensure a well-disciplined and attentive class throughout the academic year.

Takeaways
  • πŸ—£οΈ Never shout to quiet a noisy class; instead, use a loud voice to ask for silence and use students' names to get their attention.
  • πŸ™…β€β™‚οΈ Avoid giving the silent treatment in a passive-aggressive manner; instead, use it positively to encourage students to quiet down and listen.
  • πŸ” Use call and response techniques to refocus students' attention; these should be practiced from the first day of class.
  • πŸ‘€ Implement various call and response slogans like 'One two three, eyes on me' or 'Class, class, class' to get students to respond and focus.
  • πŸ“£ Utilize rhythmic clapping or popular phrases as a form of call and response to engage students and regain their attention.
  • πŸ•’ Allow students a short time to settle down before expecting immediate silence, using techniques like counting down from 20 seconds.
  • πŸ“’ Use simple and consistent rules like 'Three, two, one, stop' to signal students to be quiet and attentive.
  • 🧊 Introduce creative phrases like 'Water, water, water, flow like water; ice, freeze' to get students to mimic and then be still.
  • 🎡 Use animal sounds, songs, or personal stories to pique curiosity and encourage students to quiet down to listen.
  • πŸ™Œ Teach hand gestures and countdowns to signal quietness, such as 'I need two students' followed by a countdown for attention.
  • πŸ§˜β€β™€οΈ If there's too much energy, use physical activities like yoga or stretching to release it before settling down to learn.
Q & A
  • Why should teachers avoid shouting to quiet a noisy class?

    -Teachers should avoid shouting because it indicates that they have lost control and need to resort to shouting to get the students' attention.

  • What is the silent treatment technique suggested for managing noise in the classroom?

    -The silent treatment involves the teacher standing at the front of the class with a patient demeanor, waiting for the class to quiet down. It works when done correctly, as it prompts students to pay attention to the teacher.

  • Why is it a mistake for a teacher to sit down and wait for the class to quiet down?

    -Sitting down and waiting for quietness can be seen as a sign of weakness and can lead to further disrespect from students, as it resembles a petulant child not getting their way.

  • What is a call and response technique and how can it be used in the classroom?

    -A call and response technique involves the teacher saying something and the students responding either verbally or with an action. It's a pattern interrupt that can snap students back to reality and refocus their attention.

  • Can you provide an example of a call and response technique mentioned in the script?

    -One example is the teacher saying 'one two three, eyes on me' and the students responding with 'one two, eyes on you' while looking at the teacher.

  • What is the purpose of giving students time to settle down before starting a lesson?

    -Giving students time to settle down allows them to gradually calm down and prepare to listen, which is more effective than expecting immediate quietness.

  • What is the 'three to one rules' technique used by the speaker in their own class?

    -The 'three to one rules' technique involves the teacher counting down from three to one, signaling students to stop talking and pay attention.

  • How can using animal sounds help in getting students' attention?

    -Using animal sounds can create a fun and unexpected interruption that snaps students out of their current activities and draws their attention to the teacher.

  • Why is it effective to start talking to a small group or tell a story to get the rest of the class quiet?

    -Starting a conversation with a small group or telling a story can pique the curiosity of the rest of the class, prompting them to quiet down so they can listen in.

  • What is the 'Simon says' technique and how can it be used to manage a noisy class?

    -The 'Simon says' technique involves giving students commands to follow, such as 'touch your head' or 'clap your hands'. It keeps students engaged and can lead to a quieter classroom as they focus on the commands.

  • Why is it important to establish a main quieting technique and practice it from the first day of school?

    -Establishing and practicing a main quieting technique from the first day helps ingrain the behavior in students, leading to better compliance and a more disciplined classroom environment throughout the year.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ“’ Managing Classroom Noise and Attention

Eric from Etiquette shares strategies for dealing with a noisy classroom and capturing students' attention. He emphasizes the importance of not shouting and instead suggests using call and response techniques, which involve the teacher initiating a phrase or action that students must repeat. This method helps to refocus students' attention and create a pattern interrupt. Teachers are advised to train students in these techniques from the first day to ensure they become automatic responses. Examples of call and response include saying 'one two three eyes on me' and receiving 'one two eyes on you' in return, or using popular slogans and phrases. The goal is to gain students' trust and improve discipline in a positive and non-confrontational manner.

05:01
πŸ€” Creative Techniques for Quieting a Class

This paragraph offers a variety of creative techniques to quiet a class and get students to focus. It suggests using imaginative actions like 'popping imaginary marshmallows' into one's mouth to encourage silence, as students mimic the action and cannot talk. It also recommends giving students a countdown to settle down, such as '20 seconds' to prepare for instruction. The 'three to one' rule and the 'give me five' technique are introduced as methods to help students transition to a quiet and attentive state. Other strategies include using phrases like 'water and ice' to prompt movement and stillness, animal sounds, singing, and engaging in personal storytelling to pique curiosity. The paragraph also highlights the effectiveness of gestures, such as raising a hand for silence, and suggests physical activities like yoga or stretching to release energy before settling down. The emphasis is on positive reinforcement and establishing routines from the first week of school to ensure a well-behaved and attentive class throughout the year.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Noisy Class
A 'noisy class' refers to a classroom environment where the volume of noise is high, making it difficult for the teacher to maintain order and focus on the lesson. In the video, this concept is central as it discusses strategies to manage such a situation and regain the students' attention.
πŸ’‘Volume
Volume, in the context of this video, pertains to the loudness of sound in the classroom. It is a critical issue because excessive noise can disrupt learning and lead to perceptions of poor classroom management.
πŸ’‘Control
Control, in an educational setting, refers to a teacher's ability to manage the classroom environment effectively. The video emphasizes the importance of maintaining control without resorting to shouting or punitive measures.
πŸ’‘Silent Treatment
The 'silent treatment' is a classroom management technique where a teacher remains silent, expecting the students to quiet down in response. The video explains both effective and ineffective ways to implement this technique.
πŸ’‘Call and Response
Call and response is a teaching method where the teacher initiates a call (a statement or action) and expects the students to respond accordingly. This technique is highlighted in the video as an effective way to refocus students' attention.
πŸ’‘Pattern Interrupt
A 'pattern interrupt' is a strategy used to break a student's current behavior pattern, in this case, talking or being noisy. The video suggests using call and response as a form of pattern interrupt to redirect students' focus back to the teacher.
πŸ’‘Rhythm Clap
Rhythm clap is a specific type of call and response where the teacher claps a rhythm that students must mimic. This is used in the video as an example of a non-verbal call and response technique to capture students' attention.
πŸ’‘Countdown
A 'countdown' is a technique where a teacher counts down from a certain number, signaling students to quiet down and prepare for instruction. The video mentions 'three to one rules' and 'give me five technique' as examples of countdown methods.
πŸ’‘Personal Story
Telling a 'personal story' or sharing information that is not typically part of the lesson can pique students' curiosity, leading to a quieter classroom as they become interested in what the teacher has to say.
πŸ’‘Exercise
Exercise, as mentioned in the video, can be used as a way to release excess energy in a noisy classroom. Engaging students in physical activities like yoga poses or jumping jacks can help calm them down before resuming the lesson.
πŸ’‘Simon Says
Simon Says is a game that can be adapted for classroom management. In the video, it is suggested as a way to engage students in a structured activity that requires them to listen and follow instructions, thus quieting the class.
πŸ’‘Detention
Detention is a punitive measure that can be threatened as a consequence for not quieting down. The video suggests writing a message on the board that implies detention if the noise level does not decrease, as a way to gain compliance.
Highlights

Dealing with a noisy class and getting students to pay attention is a common concern for teachers.

Eric from Etiquette shares ideas on making a noisy class quiet and attentive.

Avoid shouting to regain control as it signals a loss of control.

Using silent treatment can be effective if done correctly by patiently waiting for the class to quiet down.

Mistake: Sitting down and waiting for silence can be ineffective and shows weakness.

Introduce positive ways to get students' attention, such as call and response techniques.

Call and response involves the teacher saying something and students responding in kind.

Practice call and response from the first day to make it an ingrained response.

Examples of call and response include 'One two three, eyes on me' and SpongeBob slogans.

Use rhythm claps or popular phrases as call and response to engage students.

Gestures like 'pop imaginary marshmallows' can help capture students' attention without talking.

Give students a countdown to settle down, such as 'three, two, one'.

Use 'water and ice' or animal sounds for a playful way to get students to focus.

Initiating a song or talking to a small group can pique curiosity and bring silence.

Hand gestures combined with a countdown can effectively signal for attention.

For young students, interactive games like 'Where's my nose?' can be engaging.

If energy is high, use physical activities like yoga or stretching before settling down.

Simon says or writing on the board with a consequence can also help quiet the class.

Rehearse and practice your main quieting technique from the first day of school.

Consistency in the first week sets the tone for a pleasant school year.

Transcripts
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