Q: This month's question comes from Melissa, who teaches in Randolph, NJ:

Hi, I am new to teaching and would like to know what are the best methods to quiet a chatty class. I've tried silent sign, whispering, standing still, give me five, positive reinforcement (ex: I like how Johnny is sitting quietly.) Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.:)



A: Your excellent responses:

Amber L. Ryan from Waterford, CA:
I quickly say "Let me hear who is the quietest, the boys or the girls" after they get quiet I tell them how hard it is to pick a winner because they have all done a great job. If I hear a boy or girl talking, I comment that they almost won.

Shelly Moses from San Diego, CA:
I have found that working towards a reward has worked well for the very chatty class that I have this year. Each day, or part of day, I have some small reward that the children will get if they listen and work well. I keep a list and add nemes as the day goes on. Some of the rewards I offer are leaving one minute early for recess or lunch, two plain M&Ms, not having to do one math problem on the next day's page, etc. I find it amazing what these ridiculously small can help me manage my class in such a positive manner.

Holly from Port Isabel , Texas:
I count down from 10 to one. If the class has not settled down and gotten ready for the next lesson I move a marker down on a chart (numbered 1-10) if they lose more than a few points we do not get an extra recess, or play a game or something else the kids like to do. The kids try to keep all their points so they can buy a big reward on Friday- Fun, free time. We start fresh at 10 each day. If the class does not settle down by ten- afeter I take the point away, I count to five- I have never had to take away a second point. The ten count gives them enough time to get ready to learn.

Mrs. Van Winkle from South San Francisco, CA:
For the primary grades I've used these two method's I learned during my student teaching. I say and do: "If you are ready to listen to the teacher, put your hands on your head, if you are ready to listen to the teacher (or go to recess or whatever) put your hands on your hips. If you are ready to....., put your hands down. (By the third instruction, the class is usually quietly following your directions. Another method is just say "One, two, three freeze!" Students freeze, I give compliments to two or three (or more students until all are "frozen"). Next give one or two directions (time to clean up & get ready for lunch) then say "M.E.L.T Melt" and students follow instructions given.

Cheryl from Clinton, Mississippi:
I use an hourglass timer. The students know if I turn the timer over, they have until the the sand runs out to get quiet.

Traci from Wilkesboro, NC:
I use a group reward system, as well as, a class reward system. The class is divided into 6 teams. Each team comes up with a name. The team then decorates a pocket "brown envelope" and attaches it to one of the desks. During the day anytime that I catch that team working quietly or following directions I pay them with a blue behavior dollar. Every so often I have the teams count their behavior dollars and I reward the team with the most $$$$! (You can plan the day to $ or suprise them!) As the kids see me pass out the behavior bucks they seem to quiet down quickly so their team can also earn some. My co-workers and I also use a classroom behavior system based on the word DAY. Each day we write the word DAY on the board. During the day any time that the class,as a whole, gets too loud we erase a letter. At the end of the day if the class has at least one letter left they get a tally mark. We collect tally marks until we have 15-20. You choose! After we have enough tally marks the kids vote on something they would like to do as a class. They loved game day.Each child brought a board game to school and I gave them time to play. They also voted for sports day and pajama day. The students really love it. Good luck!

Holly from Columbia, Missouri:
A friend of mine says in her normal voice, "If you can hear my voice, clap once." Some of the students will clap. Then she says, "If you can hear my voice, clap twice." By now, she has everyone's attention and she didn't have to raise her voice.

Deb Erne from Huron, Ohio:
Hi Melissa! I use a variety of techiniques with my Kindergartners that I find work very well. I have some wind chimes in my room that I gently tap and the children know that when they hear the chimes, it means......silence and all eyes on me. Another technique that the children really like are a variety of hand clap rhythms that I use...I clap a rhythm to the children and then they clap back to me with the matching rhythm. We do loud claps, soft claps, and even silent claps! I also use some Kodaly musical phrases that I sing, and then again, the children sing back to me. I would be happy to share these with you and the children love them. I have a train whistle I blow to get immediate attention. I find that when I vary the "attention getter techniques" I get a much better response in immediate silence. I use one technique for a couple of weeks, change to another, then come back to one that hasn't been used in a while. They seriously love them, and it's such a pleasant, positive way to get their attention.

Betsy from St. Helens, Oregon:
I have an idea that works especially well for transitions, or for times when students have been active and need to get quiet to hear the next direction. I bought a music box that plays when you open the lid. Wind it up every morning. When you want students to stop talking open the lid. The music is their cue to be quiet. Play the music until everyone is silent, then close the lid. If there is music left at the end of the day the students earn a reward which can be decided by you.

Renee from Noblesville, IN:
On the very first day of school my class learns that my word is "freeze". We practice a lot the first few days. I'll have them move around, talk, pretend to go about their business. When I say freeze, that's exactly what they do, freeze. Even if they are in midstep, have their hand raised, taking a drink from the water fountain, whatever they are in the midst of doing they completely stop and look at me. Practicing the expectation is the key. When I have finished with what I want to say, I then say, "Thaw" and they are allowed to move. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Beca Hansen from San Jose, CA:
I find that counting backwards from 10 to 0, using a dramatic voice, is a fun and effective means to getting a quick change (eyes on me, turn to page 42, put your books away, be quiet,etc.). I make it very clear that by the time I get to zero, they are expected to be doing what I asked. Something about the feel of a countdown makes kids want to move! Later in the year, I count down from five. My other favorite attention getting tool is to clap a pattern. The kids must stop, repeat my pattern(s)(which vary), and look at me. They must do this before the third pattern.

Tiffany Gant from Tampa, Fla:
I use a money system ($1 play dollar for homework turned in, coming to school, and following rules like staying in seat or being quiet - Johnny come get a $1 you're sitting so quietly - If I'm teaching I'll bring 4 or 5 ones and give them as needed ..end of week the top boy and girl get treasure box...

Carol Fittante from Boston, MA:
Have you tried clapping? We use 1-2 1-2-3

Amy Haugen from Brunswick, GA:
While positive reinforcement works, if you add a piece of candy to it it works better. Like, "I like the way Johnny is sitting quietly and waiting for me to teach, go get you a piece of candy from my candy jar Johnny." works even better. You'd be surprised how fast others will follow suit.

Krystian from Atlanta, GA:
Have you tried pattern clapping. You clap a pattern and the students have to echo it. This grabs student's attention. Once you teach your children to echo your claps, it can work wonders!

Digna from Tacoma, Washington:
How about classroom court, where they police each other

Meenal from North Olmsted, Ohio:
I put up a list of all the kids names with chalkboard markers (so they're semi-permanent) with a blank line next to their names. When I do a transition (which is usually the noisiest time) I quietly walk over to the board and start giving points to those kids who followed directions, got ready for the change, and sat quietly waiting. Once the kids see me at the board, they quickly settle down so that they can earn points too. When they get to 10 points, they get to pick a sticker, pencil, or small prize. I give out points lavishly at the beginning of the year but as time goes on, I get a little stingy. This way I'm still getting them to settle down but I'm not rewarding them too often.

Kim from Exeter, California:
A clapping pattern for them to echo works well. Give a math "head problem" in which they have to show you the answer on their fingers. Don't say anything and put a reward on the desks of those being really quiet and attentive. Group points.

RANDI from OWINGS MILLS, MD.:
I GIVE MY STUDENTS LOTTERY TICKETS FOR CATCHING THEM DOING SOMETHING GREAT. ON FRIDAY'S I PICK TEN STUDENT'S NAMES TO CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: LUNCH WITH THE TEACHER, STICKER OR A TREAT FROM THE TREASURE CHEST. mY KIDS REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING TICKETS AND BEHAVING. GOOD LUCK.

:

Connie C. Adams from Douglas, GA:
When my kindergarten class gets a little noisy, I'll say, "One-Two-Three, Eyes on Me!". Immediately they all respond, "One-Two, Eyes on You!" This has worked every time all year!

Tashia Spradley from West Wendover, Nevada:
In my fifth grade class, it has helped to give them something to talk about. I present an idea, to which they have to listen. I tell them up front that they will talk about what I'm going to say, so they need to be prepared. They are then presented with a question and given 'think-time' to come up with an answer. (I even taught mine some thinking poses - rubbing their chins, "The Thinker," hand on forehead, etc.) After the 30-60 second think-time, they share their answers with a partner or small group. Finally, I call on a person to tell me what the PARTNER said, ensuring listening skills as well.

Carolyn Cox from Irving, Texas:
I have a Home daycare, I've found turning off the light from time to time will cause the children to stop and look around, when they see everyone raising finger in the air, they do it also, which makes them quiter. Works for my 2 and 3 year olds. Should work for yours.

Kay Logghe from Glenwood City, Wisconsin:
I bought a Yacker Tracker and if that goes off I erase one letter from the word recess. If they lose all the letters they lose the afternoon recess. I start over each day.

Debbie from Yuma, Arizona:
Table/Group Tallies work great for my first-graders. I arrange desks into groups and allow each group to choose a name for their group. Each time the group becomes quieter than the other groups, cleans up most quickly, or prepares for the next lesson the quickest, I draw a tally mark next to their group name. Whichever group has the most tallies at the end of the month, wins a prize. This teaches students how to count tally marks, as well.

Melissa from Glendale, NY:
Hi. I've been teaching for 8 years now and I've found that moving the "constant talker", right next to you while he/she does his/her independent work, really works well. They tend to focus a lot better.

Shelly from Pampa, Texas:
My kids always like it when I say, "Let me hear the crickets." At first, some of the "smarties" might start making chirping noises, but you can stop that pretty quick. Act like you are listening outside and when they are quiet, you can say, "Ok, now I can hear the crickets!"

Brooke from Charlotte, NC:
I do a clap pattern and they immediately have to repeat it. I tell them if I get everyone to repeat my pattern the first time (without having to do more patterns), they get some sort of special treat (i.e. we end the formal math lesson a little early to play flash card math)

Suzy Gibbons from Flower Mound, Texas:
In a loud, firm voice say "freeze". The students (and parents on visitor days) will instantly stop to see what is going on. The enjoy freezing in strange positions. Give your instructions in a quiet voice. Don't forget to "unfreeze". This one works great, but don't over use it.

Carrie from Chillicothe, Ohio:
I used to use one of those wooden train whistles and when I would blow it, the students were to put on their "brakes" and make the "sh" sound to get quiet.

LLarson from St. David, Arizona:
Here's a method I have used with success in 3rd and 4th grades: after trying the usual whispering, etc., while they are still talking during a lesson or instructions and without any further warning, I walk over to the board, write my name, and return to giving the lesson. If the talking continues, and still without any comments, I put a tally mark under my name. Every time someone blurts out an answer, every time someone talks, I put a tally mark. When it's time for recess, how many tally marks I have means how many minutes I get to use of the class's free time to finish my lesson. I have never given an explanation of the process ("This is what is going to happen when...."); I just started using it. They quickly caught on what putting my name on the board meant. Now, I simply turn around to the board and the talkers are shushed. If the same one or two individuals continue talking, after saying "Fair Warning", they have to receive individual consequences. (I use a Behavior Chart, Record Book, and Weekly Report method.)

Judy from Glendale, Arizona:
A method I learned from my boys' football coach that has been working in my classroom with third graders as well as kindergartners is to say, "ears" and have the students repeat it. By saying "ears", the students are agreeing to use their ears. Sometimes it takes more than one time to get their attention, especially at first. This also works with "eyes" too.

Debbie from Everett, WA:
Try simple clapping rhythms. Have the children clap back to you. Do this 3 or 4 times then end with your hands in your lap and your lips pressed together. The children will enjoy copying you and, in the end, be ready to listen.

Diane Corbitt from Flower Mound, Texas:
I teache Kindergarten and I have a cute ryhme that I say one line and then they say the next. It goes like this; (Teacher) 1, 2 (Student)Eyes on you (Teacher)3, 4 (Student)Sit on the floor (Teacher) 5, 6, 7, 8 (Student) Cross your legs and don't be late. My students have even changed the words for when they are sitting at their desk.

Suzanne Ashmore from pensacola, Fl:
At the beginning of the year, teach them to get quiet by raising your hand. When they see you, they should get quiet and raise their hands. Before you know the whole class will be quietly raising their hands. Practice at the beginning of the year. Let them get noisy several times.

Joyce Hagman from Corona, CA:
I use the methods you suggested. However, I also emply this catchy rhyme. Teacher says: "1-2-3 all eyes and ears on me! Children respond: 1-2 eyes on you!" I also use the clapping game. I clap a rhythm and they repeat it back. Hope these little suggestions help. x0x0x0x, Joyce

Mykel Milligan from Danbury, CT:
I like to sing "Everybody listen" and when they hear that, they respond with, "Right now!" and it gets my first graders prepared for listening.

Susan from Stephens City, VA:
Give them time to talk. Say "You have two minutes to talk about _____." After two minutes ring a bell to get the children's attention. Then tell your students "You had your turn to talk, now it is mine." I try to give my students talk time frequently. Soemtimes I assign them a partner or a group, sometimes it is just with their neighbors. It works with my First Graders!

Melanie from Dallas, Texas:
My best advice is to go to the root of the problem and find out if it is productive talk. When it isn't I usually find that students are talking for one of three reasons. The lesson and activity were not engaging, struggling students who can't do the work and as a result are off task or students who finished early and don't have something to move onto. I always try to look at myself and see what I can do rather than what I can get them to do. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Kari from Warsaw, Missouri:
I know this wiil sound simple but it has worked all year. At the beginning of the year I taught my kids to stop what they were doing and find me when they heard the bell. It is just a simple bell but when they hear it they know I need their attention. If I have to ring it twice then we sit still for two minutes. The main thing is to stay consistent through out the year and have no empty "threats". Always follow through.

Carrie Blackmar from Putnam, CT:
What I do with my noisy kindergarteners is play "If you're listening..." I start with "If you're listening, touch your head, If you're listening, touch your nose,...etc". Sometimes, I add something like, "touch your antlers, touch your snout, which always gets their attention. I also assign "listening buddies" for my chronic chatters. A listening buddy is someone who will "model" good listening behavior while we're working in group. It also is a good way to keep chatty friends separated! Good luck!

Tricia Wagner from Columbus, Ohio:
I give my students raffle tickets as rewards and at the end of the week I draw for prizes. You can us my tips with tickets, candy or any other reward. If my group is extremely chatty I place a ticket on everyone's desk and tell them it is not their ticket yet. They do not get to keep it unless they still have it at the end of class. If a student is talking or not following directions simply take their ticket. This really works and I hardly every have to take a ticket. Having the ticket on their desk is a great visual reminder for them.

jade martin from Gambier, Ohio:
I think that you should start saying that they have to stay in for recess or call their parents

Margaret Fawcett from Gambier, OH:
I use a "magic wand". It is a clear tube filled with liquid and sparkly things. I start by saying that my magic wand can always find the quietest one in the class. And magcially the class gets very quiet. I touch a student with the wand and that child takes the wand to find another quiet student. I teach second grade and they love it! This works great when I have to step out of the room or if an adult comes into the room to discuss something

Michelle from Memphis, TN:
I can quiet a chatty class by clapping a pattern and they have to repeat it. (Such as a slow clap and two quick claps, repeat and wait for them to repeat.) Of course they have already been taught this at the beginning of the year to stop and respond back to me. It works everytime all year long to quickly get their attention and get them quiet and ready to listen.

Maryann from Brooklyn, New York:
Hi Melissa, I look around to see who is talking the most, and tell that person to be quiet and I will look at that person with my finger to my lips. I talk quietly to that person as if its just the two of us in the room. If the person is far away I walk over to them. This helps alot. Once that person is quiet, I will do the same if someone else is talking. The other children start quieting down, once the room begins to quiet down. I also do finger rhymes between lessons to get them quiet. This makes them happy because they are talking, but you have them under control.

Anne from North Port, FL:
I have a bell and a marble jar. Whenever I need the class' attention, I ring the bell. The students know from the beginning of the year that the bell means "stop, look, and listen." If everyone reacts quickly, I add marbles to the jar. If they ignore the bell, I take out marbles from the jar. When the jar is full, I give the class a reward. I end up with 3 rewards for the year, depending on how quickly the jar gets filled (app. 180 marbles filled, adding 2-5 at a time). I start out with a popcorn party, then pizza, and end the year with ice cream sundaes. I've used it all 3 years of my teaching and gotten a great response!

Robin Whitworth from Hurricane , Utah:
I use the stoplight method. We talk about the safety of a stoplight. Green is good all is safe and all is going well with everyone doing what they are expected to do. If someone starts to get to chatty, I ask him/her if he/she want to move to yellow. If that doesn’t settle the student down then the student moves t o yellow. This could be a clothes pin with the students name being moved from green to yellow. This year I have my room set up with ocean ideas so they move their green dolphin in the back which puts a yellow dolphin in the front. If the student doesn’t settle down, then I will ask the student if he/she wants to move to red. Moving to red means writing a note home to his/her parents explaining their behavior and a plan in fixing the problem. The note needs to come back sign by the parent. The student will sit out during recess until the note comes back. A couple of things happen with this method. Students who stay on green, earn a sticker for their chart when the chart is full they get to go to my treasure box. Students who move to yellow or red don’t earn a sticker. The students don’t like to go and move their name to either color and they really don’t like writing a note to their parents. I have used this with kindergarten students, first and second grade students. I worked with a teacher who had a stoplight and she would turn the light to yellow if she wanted low noise and red for a quiet room. She used green only during party times. She used that method for years. Hang in there, you will find something that will work for you. Try the stoplight method and see if it works for you. Good luck. Robin Whitworth

Andee from Gallipolis, Oh:
What is your mailing address?

Pamela Haywood from Houston, TX:
Turn the lights off... I am the mother of six children. 4 adults and 2 preschoolers. I promise you it really works

Allison from Howell, NJ:
It looks like you already have a few good ideas, but it always good to have back-up, so here are a few things I do with my 1st grade class to get them to quite down and refocus their attention on me. * I'll clap a small series of claps in some sort of rhythm that the class has to repeat and clap back to me (repeat if not everyone responded the 1st time) * I'll say the words, "One, two, three. Eyes on me," and the whole class has to look at me and respond, "One, two. Eyes on you." * I'll use a quite-ish voice and say things like, "If you can hear me clap once. If you can hear me, touch your nose. If you can hear me, do this (and I'll tap my head, or touch my shoulders, or fold my hands in my lap to get them to do the same ~ I usually save that one for the last "Do This" activity). * Explain to the class that they are being too loud or out of control or whatever and have everyone count to 30 (or an appropriate number) in their heads and not to speak unti I also count to 30 in my head. * Lastly, if all else fails, I say the words, "And a hush fell over the room" which means everyone must freeze where they are (with both feet on the ground)and cross their arms and not move or speak. This is really the equivalent of yelling, "Freeze," but in a much quiter calmer voice that we have practiced since September. When I'm done saying whatever needs to be said I let them "melt" and they are almost always more calm. So, I hope that maybe one or two of these ideas may be helpful to you and I wish you good luck as we wind down out last few weeks of the year!

D. Brown from Blackwood, NJ :
I use this little poem: 1,2,3 eyes on me. the class responds 1,2 eyes on you.

Sue Peo from Levittown, NY:
The old stand by, clap your hands in a series of rhymes: clap ,clap,.....clap, clap, clap. Have them repeat it. You can't use this all the time, but it works in conjunction with the other methods tried. I also play "the quiet game". I use the clock to see which row or group can be the quietest for 30 second, a minute, two minutes etc. It works really well at dismissal. The ones who remain the most quiet get to line up first.

Bridgette Garnier from Tucson, AZ:
One thing that has worked pretty well for me is to say, "Clap once if you here me. Clap twice if you here me. Clap three times if you hear me." By the time my students clap twice, I usually have everyone's attention. Good Luck!!

Jessica Bowles from Leonardtown, Maryland:
I use a card system in my class. Each card has a specific consequence (white-perfect behavior, yellow-warning, blue-move to another area of the room, green-lose 15 minutes of recess, purple-fill out an action plan form and get parents signature, orange-sent to the principal's office) You can adjust the consequences as needed for your class. Each day the students start on white, and if they do not follow a class rule or are being really chatty, I will say if you are talking you will be asked to move a card, and usually the students quiet right down. I created a chart with pockets and numbers on them, each student is assigned a number, and thats how they know where to move a card on the chart when they are not following directions.

Leslie Lambert from Bowling Green, KY:
I'm trying to figure that out myself. I'd like to know a little more aobut this silent sign, though.

Andrea Reed from Del Rio, Texas:
I shout / say out loud in a sing songy voice: "One two three - eyes on me." They answer back "One two eyes on you." They love to shout it sing it. And then I say "And freeze." Practice it over and over until they get it. Also change the kids' seats around often (once per six weeks). Boy / Girl helps me best.

K. Garrow from Philadelphia, PA:
I have used this with individual classes and an auditorium full of noisy middle school kids. Works like a charm. In a normal voice I say, "If you can hear me, clap once. IAfter the few claps more kids pay attention. Then I say, "If you can hear me, clap twice." Things are usually much quieter and I finish with "If you can hear me, you are no longer talking." I learned this from a high school teacher several years ago and have used it successfully since.

Katie Zemella from Paso Robles, CA:
I've used a music box (the kind that when you open it, it plays music) to quiet down a noisy class. At the beginning of each week, I wind up the music box, and each time the students get too noisy, I open the box until it is quiet enough to hear the music and then close it. If they don't use up all of the music by the end of the week, they earn a treat like extra free choice time or a piece of candy.

Lauren from Chelmsford, MA:
Hi Melissa, A few things I do are ringing bells, turning the lights off, and clapping. If there is a particularly chatty class I ask for the first team ready to learn and give that team points. The team with the most points at the end of the week earns a star and the team to earn three stars receives a trip to the prize bin.

Trish from Hatteras, NC:
On days when my class is having an especially difficult day(s) with chatting, I draw a flower in the corner of my board. When chatting gets to an unacceptable level, I color in a petal on the flower. I don't say anything, but the students notice really quickly and quiet down. If they continue to chat, I continue to slowly color in more petals until they 'get it'. Then, when it is time to do something that they really enjoy, they have to sit quietly 1 minute for each petal that is colored in. Most of the time we do the 'sitting' before we go out to recess. My students think that they are missing part of their recess, but in reality, I just start early so that they get their required time for recess. In the winter I draw a snowman or Christmas tree with ornaments or whatever is appropriate for the season. I've found it normal for the students to have chatty days and this is an easy way to manage those days.

Barbara Asher from Clearwater, Florida:
Say at a normal voice, If you can hear me clap once. All the students that can hear me clap once and it gets everyone's attention and quiets the room.

Kristen Walden from Villa Rica, GA:
I use a dog clicker. You can buy them at any pet stores. You must practice and teach them what to do when they hear the cliks, but this has been the best method for me. I use it most often at the beginning of the year during quiet writing time, even in the hallway.

Susan H. from Forked River, New Jersey:
I have used a "be my echo" clapping technique that works wonders. Just clap a simple pattern and ask the children to be your echo. The room reponds and then you have their attention (and quiet) to move on to the next activity or direction.

Cindy Mullins from Asheboro, North Carolina:
I recently went to a workshop where the presenter quieted the entire room by using a chime. I bought a Zynergy chime and tried using the sam procedure to quiet my room. It works like a charm. When I hit the chime 1 time it cues the children to get quiet and in their seats. Second hit on the chime eyes on me. I never have to say anything by getting quiet. I have used many different classroom strategies through the years and this is the most effective. Other teachers in my school have started using it too. I found my chime 0n Amazon.com

Lisa Mickler from Dallas, Texas:
I keep a toy xylophone and play a few sounds, sometimes an actual song, sometimes just a chord, sometimes just a couple of notes. I vary it so that the kids don't get used to the same sound over and over. That way it really gets their attention!

Sue Kilmer from Toltec, AZ:
I teach first grade and what works for me is writing the word RECESS on the board and then I erase a letter at a time if it gets too noisy starting with an S. When there is no letters left they lose recess for the morning.

Deb Hester from Lafayette, IN:
My favorite way to get student's attention is to say very quietly: "If you hear my voice, snap your fingers once, or clap, or put you finger on your elbow, etc." I keep repeating the command, sometimes changing it along the way and usually don't have to do it more than 3 times. The student closet to me responds and it keeps going until all listen to the command! A very quick, efficient way to get attention without raising your voice or waiting long.

Anne from Howell, NJ:
I've been teaching for 15 years and for some reason this has ALWAYS worked for me: I just simply begin to count...one...two....and then I say, "Don't make me get to three.."....so far, I never have.