Attention Signal
Attention Signals from Elementary Library Routines
I didn't know about attention getting signals until I taught in an Elementary School Library. Suddenly I was exposed to several different ways to quiet down students from different teachers that visited the classroom.
Give Me 5
My current middle school uses Kagan Strategies and the quiet signal is to "Give me 5" and the students raise their hands and should be quiet in 5 4 3 2 1.
Clap
Another strategy that works well with middle school students is the clapping strategy:
If you can hear my voice, clap once
If you can hear my voice, clap twice
Turn Off Lights
Turning the lights off, immediately gets kids attention, and you are not competing with their voices. If that's not convenient, I have found a maraca, old fashioned school bell, or small wind chime also effective.
1 2 3 Eyes on Me
Teacher calls out 1 ,2 ,3 eyes on me and students respond 1, 2 eyes on you.