ALL SET?
Teacher says: All set? (Snap twice.)
Children respond: You bet! (Snap twice.)
If children aren't ready, then they say: Not Yet!
Teacher continues to ask: All set? until the children respond, "You bet!"

IF YOU CAN HEAR MY VOICE....
In a normal voice teacher says: If you can hear my voice, clap your hands one time.
In a softer voice: If you can hear my voice, clap your hands two times.
In a whisper voice: If you can hear my voice, please look at me.

Hint! Continue lowering your voice and asking the children to make motions until all have joined in and are focused on you.

BLOW A BALLOON
Children will focus their attention on you with this trick:
Get out your balloon. (Cup hands around mouth.)
Let's blow it up.
Whooo!        (Pretend to blow and extend hands
Whooo!         a little each time as if the balloon
Whooo!         is inflating.)
Whooo!
POP! (Clap hands as balloon pops!)

MAKE RAIN
Here's another idea for calming children. Hold up your palm as you say:
" Let's make rain. Do what I do."
Tap pointer finger on palm for several seconds.
Tap pointer finger and middle finger.
Tap pointer, middle, and ring finger.
Tap pointer, middle, ring, and pinky on palm.
Clap hands together loudly, then reverse movements.
Tap pointer, middle, ring, and pinky on palm.
Tap pointer, middle, and ring finger.
Tap pointer and middle finger.
Tap pointer finger on palm.
Slowly bring palms together and put in your lap.

Hint! This will really sound like a rainstorm is coming and going.

LEARNING SIGN
Make the "L" for sign language by holding up pointer and sticking out your thumb and explain:
When you see me making this "L,"
I want you to make one, too.
    This will remind you :
          LOOK
          LISTEN
         And LEARN!

CLASSROOM SIGNAL
Have a special signal so that when children see it, they know to stop talking and look at you.
* Blow bubbles. Challenge children to look at you and be quiet before all the bubbles pop.
* Open a music box. When children hear the music they should freeze.
* Blink the lights, play a xylophone, or make some other unique noise or motion.
* Hold up high five ~ 2 eyes, 2 ears, and one mouth!

IS EVERYBODY HAPPY?
Teacher says:
Is everybody happy?
Children repeat:
Yes, ma'm. H -a- p - p - y. Happy!

Hint! You can also sing to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It" what you would like the children to do. For example, "If you want to hear a story, sit quietly...
If you're ready to go outside line up...etc."

 

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