Case
Chatty

What is a good way to get the attention of chatty students without yelling at them?

Posted on: 02/21/17 | Views: 1675
Solution #1
Top Solution
Establish a signal for their attention from the first day of school. This could be a raised hand, a clapping or counting game, or having a designated "quiet spot" where teachers stand to signal to students that it is time to give their attention (such as the center of the room or behind a podium).

The one clap two clap attention getter always worked for me as a student.

I think this idea. I think it will work well in classrooms

I think this is a good idea

i agree. creating a signal will help get students attention back on the task at hand.

Right. These students need some guidance.

"if you can hear my voice, clap once.." works very well

46 0
Solution #2
Clapping your hands in a rhythm and having the students complete it, making eye contact, having a "pressure point" where you stand with your hand held up and the students have 10 seconds to pick up on it or they start to lose time for something fun (think Fun Friday, not recess). Yelling at the students rarely works as an attention grabber, but instead, creates an environment that fosters negativity.
8 0
Solution #3
You can maybe play a little game and put your hand up and count down to one, giving them that time to quiet down. If they are still chatty after that time, give the class a small consequence like staying five minutes after the bell.
6 0
Solution #4
You should always use behavioral cues, things like if you can hear me put your finger on your nose or raise your hand when talking gets out of control and students should respond doing the same.

That is a cute and smart way of handling it!

5 0
Solution #5
Another idea is to pull them aside and talk to them and warn them. If that doesn't work then isolate their desk so they cant talk to other students.

The isolating desk idea is a bit mean.

4 0
Solution #6
You can take preventative measure by having time fillers ready to fill in those gaps of classroom inactivity when students are most chatty. I am also a big fan of silent signals, because often times it is just one group of students committing this offense, while the others are trying to stay on task. Develop a silent signal with your class to alert them when their discussions are moving off task or becoming disruptive.
3 0
Solution #7
I would have a couple of fun ways to grab the students attention. For example when you clap in any pattern the students must repeat that pattern back. I would do this twice and then begin speaking. There are also many chants to grab their attention "If you can hear me put your hands on your head", etc.) If this does not work, I would ring a bell. If the bell ever has to be rung, the class should receive some minor consequence (losing class points).
1 0
Solution #8
I have often found that if I stop a lesson due to talking, and stand quietly in front of the class for a few seconds, I often get their attention or their peers will quiet them down. I have also found that if I am constantly walking around the classroom and pausing at chatty desks, my presence alone quiets them down.
1 0
Solution #9
Having some type of signal for all students and the teacher to display when you want quiet is beneficial. I have found that yelling just creates anger and a louder situation.
1 0
Solution #10
Piggy-backing off of what someone else mentioned, try giving them SHORT, frequent breaks so they can talk to their neighbor. By giving them opportunities to express themselves, they may not feel so compelled to do so during class. Another thing that worked when I was in school was when the teacher said, "Did you have a question?" usually whoever was talking would stop. I think this is a good way to approach the problem if eye contact doesn't work because then it is not directly targeting the student, and lets them know that if they do genuinely have a question that you're ready to answer, but if they do not, they need to stop talking while you're talking.
1 0
Solution #11
If it is more than a few students you could clap, I find that clapping gets their attention. Then you can ask them to please be quiet and pay attention. If it is only one student o stand next to their desk for a few minutes.
1 0
Solution #12
Ask them to do something in your lesson - that will make them feel more included and pressure to pay attention. For example, ask them to come up and hold something involved in the lesson or when giving examples in your lesson use their name specifically to get their attention but make them feel special and not singled out by screaming at them.
1 0
Solution #13
count down 3, 2, 1.

This is also a good tactic

0 0
Solution #14
Be interesting, I had a teacher that would literally flip a chair or slam his hand on a desk to get students' attention. It worked, the loud noise was frightening, but everyone found it hilarious and would be more interested in paying attention than talking. Another way is to give students who talk strikes and when they get a certain amount move their desk next to yours or away from everyone. If they continue to somehow talk, send them to another class to complete their work.
0 0
Solution #15
Have a strategy for this before the first day of class. Teach your attention getting strategies on the first day of class, practice, and practice again. Make sure your students know when they can have chatty time, and when you are serious about getting their attention. Have a reward system for good behavior and respect, more so than a punishment system for misbehavior.
0 0
Solution #16
If I were in this situation, I would make eye contact and stand next to them.
0 0
Solution #17
I suggest the class class strategy to get students attention and to have students work together with hand signals to quiet them down.
0 0
Solution #18
Students will always be chatty because they always want to talk to their friends but having more lesson plans that are exciting and get the students involve will help them get their "chattyness" out hopefully.
0 0
Solution #19
Change up seating arrangements.
0 0
Solution #20
Often teachers will either have a verbal queue or visual queue. This includes just looking a them and waiting to continue teaching until they stop, clapping, saying 1 2 3 all eyes on me, etc.
0 0
Solution #21
It really depends on the age of the students. If elementary, then clapping in a pattern, holding your hand up in the air and counting on your fingers to 10, or turning the lights down and giving rewards for a quick silence.
0 0
Solution #22
When students get chatty use proximity that always talk. If students talk among st each other try rearranging seating. FYI yelling is never good. Those days are long gone.
0 0
Solution #23
You can have a non verbal signal. You can clap, use a prop, turn the light off etc. There are many ways to get their attention.
0 0
Solution #24
A good way to get attention is to go silent and wait
0 3
Solution #25
You could split them up. Also maybe have a 5 minute talking break every so often so they can get it all out then continue to learn.
1 8
Solution #26
Make eye contact, stand close to them and sometimes mention their names.

Making eye contact may work for individual students, but not necessarily for a whole class.

I did not think of that, but you're completely right. Eye contact is great for individuals and so useful. Not so much for a whole class though.

1 9