Classroom Attention Getters & Call Backs for Playful Management

Inside: Learn how to use classroom attention getters and call backs for fun and playful classroom management.

Getting Children’s Attention Throughout the Day

Ever stop to count the number of times you have to get your children’s attention throughout the day?

Neither have I!

But I would guess we’re talking double digits. Multiply that by 5 days in a school week and your clap/clap/stomp, lights out, or “All set/You Bet,” gets real old by the end of the first week!

So if your “Macaroni Cheese/Everybody Freeze” isn’t as “chill” as it once was, you might need to add a few more attention getters to your teacher’s toolbox to get you through the school year.

Why Some Attention Getters Don’t Work

Many ways of getting children’s attention, such as a doorbell, chime, or light switch do not require children to actively participate, and so they are not as effective once the novelty wears off. My own experience has shown me that this kind of attention getter works well in the beginning of the school year, but often loses its “charm” by the end of the first month.

Using a simple “call and response” approach invites participation on the part of the children and can be changed up throughout the year to maintain interest.

Creating Your Own Call Backs

Creating attention getters or call backs can be as easy as choosing any two-part rhyme or chant that kids think is fun and playful. You might try:

Lines from favorite cartoons or tv shows (i.e.Scooby Doo,/Where are you?)
Things that go together (i.e. peanutbutter/jelly)
Words from favorite books (i.e. chicka chicka/boom boom)
Common catch-phrases (ready to rock/ready to roll)
Rhyming phrases (hocus pocus/everybody focus)

Anything goes here – create your own or involve kids in the process of coming up with their own catchy call backs.

How I Use Attention Getters and Call Backs

My approach has been to keep it simple and introduce a consistent call back, that kids could easily learn, but change it up each month to ensure interest and novelty.

Here’s how that works:

In September, I introduce two attention getters and use them repeatedly until the kids know them well.
When October arrives, the same rhymes and chants are altered slightly to reflect a seasonal theme providing a novel, but consistent routine for gaining children’s attention.

For example, using a “Ten apples up on top/Hold them now so they won’t drop” call back, children are holding apples in September, pumpkins in October, pies in November, etc. And to add another playful element, they put their hands on top of their heads as part of their response.

You can find my set of monthly attention getters and call backs in this Transition Bundle that also includes line-up songs, Hands-in-Your-Lap Rhymes, and Classroom Cheers.