Chronicles of A Substitute Teacher: Stop, Collaborate, and Listen- Classroom Management Tips Pt. 2

As my previous post indicated, not all classes will respond the same way to certain classroom management strategies. One thing that is prevalent among all grade levels is some form of attention-getter, also known as a call-out or call-back. I wanted to include some that I have used and found effective, and I have organized them by grade level. Eighth graders need a call-out that is appropriate to their age group as do early childhood students, or their response will not be what you were hoping for. The other major component for call-outs is “Practice, Practice, Practice!” If your class doesn’t follow expectations for the call-out you use or have agreed upon, follow up with a friendly “Oh no, it looks like we need to try that again. Shake it off and get ready for me to start again.” Remember when I talked about consistency in the last post?

Early Childhood and Pre-K Call-Backs

These kiddos need something physical and enjoy rhymes and songs, so sometimes it is a simples as saying “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands” and replace it with “touch your nose/head/tummy” until all students are listening and playing along. Other times I might start “The Wheels on the Bus” song or play a game of “Simon Says.” One of the most popular ones at the early childhood center I worked this year used the tune of “Are You Sleeping, Are You Sleeping, Brother John?” but the words are replaced with the following lyrics:

🎶Eyes are watching
Ears are listening
Voices Quiet
Bodies Calm
This is how we listen
This is how we listen
At group time
At group time. 🎶
Students point to their eyes, cup their ears, make the “shh” signal, and hug their bodies during the song as well to satisfy the visual/tactile component.

Grades K-2 Call-Backs

Not much older than the pre-k kiddos, these students still like a good song, rhyme and visual component. But they can handle some shorter call-outs usually. Here are some of my favorites I have learned.
Teacher: “Macaroni and Cheese.”- Students:"Everybody Freeze!” Students put their hands up and go silent so we know they are ready for instructions.
Teacher: “Hocus Pocus.”- Students: “Everybody Focus!”
Teacher: “Eyes on me like you watch T.V.” (No verbal response from students, just eyes on the teacher and voices off)
Teacher: “Criss-cross, applesauce with your spoons in the bowl” To have students sit on the carpet with legs crossed in front of them. The “spoons” are their arms/hands in their lap or “the bowl.”

Upper Elementary Call-Backs

This age group doesn’t need as much rhyming, they are starting to grow out of it and tend to ignore a song or rhyme call-out. Sometimes I do use popular ones like “1,2,3 All Eyes On Me.” And the Students respond with “1,2, Eyes on You.” But that is usually reserved for loud, public places like a field trip or something similar. In class I use call-outs that are quicker.
Teacher: “Class, Class”- Students: “Yes, Yes.” Voices off and eyes on me when they are done.
Teacher: “Hey Hey, [Mascot Name] (This Week it’s Huskies) Students: “Hey, Hey, Shh!”

Middle School Call-Backs

I like to get my middle school students involved in their call-out, so I give them some options. If it works, we keep it, but if it doesn’t then I get to choose for them. Middle school is weird, some kids love the rhyming stuff, others love things that they are familiar with such a movie/tv quote or part of a song. Other times its best to keep it simple if that’s what works for your class.
My favorite is used in the title:
Teacher: “Stop, collaborate…”-Students: “And Listen!” (Less frequently, the students know this reference and may want to continue the lyrics….this is why I might have to choose a different call-out for them.)
Teacher: “Peace Please.” – Students: Put up a peace sign, eyes on me, voices off.
Teacher:”To Infinity!”- Students:”And Beyond!”
Teacher: “Scooby Dooby Doo-Students: “Where Are You?!”
Teacher:”[Name of School]” Students: “[Name of Mascot]”

Unfortunately I don’t have any experience or memories of call-backs from high school. Are there any high school teachers or students out there that can give guidance on this at all? I remember teachers saying “I’ll wait until everyone is ready to move on.” And I am guilty of saying that at times as well, but usually after I have used a call-and-response and once I started to explain something the talking started again. Either way, let me know what you and your students use or what you remember using in school as a student! I would love to hear more examples.

Chronicles of A Substitute Teacher Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

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Stay awesome,
@tltran