Attention Signals

Magic Signal

• Raise one hand with two fingers pointing straight up, together. Maybe zip your lips with your other hand. Personally I'm a fan of Wong's "Give Me Five" and had used it for years, but I found that the kindergarten teachers at my new school use this "Magic Signal" to get kids quiet. It works like a charm, in the library, in the hall, etc. Find out if there's a common signal used in the classrooms at your school. (Regina Hartley)

Using Music

I tend to use "musical" attention getters. I do have a nice set of chimes I use, especially if kids are in among the shelves doing an activity or getting books. It's a distinctive sound that can be heard around the library. I tell the students thay have X number of minutes and I will ring the chimes to bring them back together.

Another thing I use is the old theme from the 60's TV show "The Addams Family." (Am I dating myself?!) I sing the opening notes "Da-da-da-dum" and then the kids snap their fingers twice and give me attention.

I also use the Manfred Mann's hit song "Do-Wah-Diddy." I sing, "There she was just a walkin' down the street..." and the kids sing back, "Singing doo-wah-diddy-diddy-dum-diddy-do." It's fun and effective because it usually gives the kids a break from the ones their teachers use over and over. (Shelley Lazarus)

Singing Signals

A variety of call and response or songs used as attention signals. Singing Signals (Keisa Williams)

Door Bell

I use a signal to let students know it is almost time to go & a signal that tells them to walk and line up. The signal is a door bell. It came with two different tones and I teach them the first tone means check out NOW because time is almost up and the second tone means line walk to line up at the exit door. IT has made such a difference with getting students checked out and lined up in a timely fashion without having to YELL across the library (Lea West).

"Me Too"!

Because students often want to shout out "Me too!" when I'm reading a book (I have a dog too! I've read this book too! My tooth fell out too!), I taught the students the "Me too!" sign in sign language. Of COURSE, the sign only works when your lips are MMM! ; )

I use this with my Ks and first graders. They love to do it while I'm reading and I love it because I can acknowledge them without too much of an interruption! (Amy Blaine)

If you can hear my voice...

Particularly useful with large group assemblies! No need to shout, the listening spreads. Say "if you can hear my voice, clap once." (CLAP) "If you can hear my voice, clap twice." X X "If you can hear my voice, clap three times." After the clapping, launch right in to what you need to tell them. Quick and effective. (Marcia Dressel)

STOP, LOOK and LISTEN

Since my library space has places where the kids go where I can't see them, when I need to transition them, or just announce something, I ring a chime and they all must walk to where they can see me, and stop and listen. (Laura Kleinmann)

1, 2, 3, EYES ON ME

Teacher calls out 1 ,2 ,3 eyes on me and students respond 1, 2 eyes on you.