Have you ever heard teachers saying silly phrases, and their students respond with another phrase? These are fun callbacks and fantastic attention-getters that get immediate responses in the classroom to help with classroom management.
Attention Getters & Callbacks That Get Results in the Classroom
Imagine the classroom working hard on the task at hand. Then, you look up at the clock and realize it’s time to head out the door to specials, lunch, or an event. We’ve all done that, lost track of time! Instead of scrambling to get the kids quieted and in line, you use an attention-getter to move things along quickly!
Better yet, let’s pretend the classroom is getting louder and louder. The kids are engaged in their activity, but the noise level rises, and some students lose focus. So instead of shouting, you use a fun attention getter, and the day’s events are back on track within seconds.
Intrigued? I’ll show you how amazing attention-getters can be for your classroom management.
What are Attention Getters and Why Are They Important?
If you aren’t familiar with attention getters, you’re in for a treat! Attention getters are visual, auditory, or oral cues that get the students’ attention. The purpose is to allow teachers to deliver a message quickly and efficiently without tons of extra noise.
Attention getters are essential because they help teachers gain the focus of the classroom without too much distraction or setting students off course. They are a quick way to draw the kids in, deliver a message, and move on to the next task. The fun comes from the call and response, which kids love.
Examples of Attention Getters for the Classroom
Teachers use a variety of attention-getters to gain their student’s awareness.
Here are some of the most common types.
- Claps – Teachers will clap their hands with a certain rhythm, and kids respond with the final notes or by imitating the claps.
- Visuals – Teachers hold up a sign or an object to signal that it’s time to look up and listen or quiet down.
- Signals – Some teachers hold up a hand and wait for students to notice. Slowly students see others, and the room quiets as they tune into what the teacher will say.
- Sounds/Music – You might hear the sounds of bells, chimes, whistles (preferably outside), and timers to signal the end of a lesson or that the teacher needs attention.
- Call Backs – These involve the teacher saying a phrase and students repeating it or finishing it to show they are listening.
Callbacks Included in this Resource
There are so many fun callbacks to use in the classroom; they are my favorite attention-getter! I included 46 callbacks in my Classroom Transitions resource, but here are my ten favorites.
- Scooby Dooby Doo –> Where are you?
- Macaroni and Cheese –> Everybody freeze!
- Yakety Yak –> Don’t talk back!
- Holy Moly –> Guacamole
- Peanut Butter –> Jelly Time!
- Chicka Chicka –> Boom Boom!
- Did Pete Cry? –> Goodness, no!
- Everybody Rock –> Everybody Roll
- Ba Da Ba Ba Ba –> I’m lovin’ it
- Ready to learn? –> Ready to Listen
Can you imagine how much fun kids will have responding to the callbacks? They will bring much enjoyment, and you’ll have an amazing classroom management system in place!
This resource also includes door hangers for when you and the class are out of the room, line-up chants, and headers and posters for all 46 attention-getters.
Set Up a Special Area to Display Attention Getters
I recommend setting up a particular area in the classroom where students can see the callbacks. Visuals are crucial for helping students understand the rules and routines of the school, and these posters are no exception.
One great place to put these is near the door so students can review them as they head out. Then, print the posters and headers on cardstock or colorful paper, laminate them, and display them in a space that makes sense for the classroom.
Try the Attention Getters for FREE
Grab 12 FREE attention getters and see how quickly your students tune into what you are saying while using them. Print and use as a simple, yet effective classroom management strategy!
Click the image below to get your set!
Classroom Transition Pack
Try the complete Classroom Transition resource by Proud to be Primary. It includes line-up chants, door hangers to let others know where the class is, callbacks, headers, and posters for everything!
These resources will make teaching life easier by quieting things down quickly and using fun classroom management techniques to get kids back on track for the day.
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