Master Class - Attention Getters

      I believe that it is so important to be able to get your class' attention quickly as possible so that the learning does not stop. Whole Brain Teaching has taught me easy ways to get my students' attention and to have a variety of strategies so that I can change them as needed.  
Coach B. starts with the rookie attention getters.  I was definitely a rookie when I started this last school year.  As a rookie, the teacher says "Class" and the students respond "Yes" and quickly fold their hands and look at the teacher.  The teacher can say "Class" in a variety of ways, for example, if a teacher says "Classity-class-class" and the students respond with "Yesity-yes-yes" and quickly fold their hands.  Some additional variations included in this webcast are: talking like a mouse, a ninja and a cowboy.  As a rookie, teachers should be doing Class-Yes at least 20 times per day and tracking it on a tally sheet.

    Coach B. also stresses practicing the class - yes using the wrong way and right way.  A fun way to practice the attention - getters is to have students model and practice doing it the wrong way and then the right way.

     The next level is the Pro Level! I love Class-Boom! When I say "Class-Boom!", the students respond with "Yes-Boom!" and fold their hands quickly. Use this at least 10 times per day and mark on a tally sheet. Class-Boom is a great change of pace and keeps the students interested and engaged. Something new with the master class is the pick some class leaders to be echo leaders. It goes like this: the teacher says "Class-class-class" and the students respond "YES-yes-yes". Next the teacher puts her hand to her ear and the echo leaders says "Yes-yes-yes."

      Finally, we have the pro level.  At this level, instead of calling out class, the teacher calls out "3 + 4" or some other piece of core knowledge and the students answer with "7" and quickly fold their hands.  This is a great way of not only getting attention but also reviews knowledge while you are doing it.  A little piece of teacher heaven!!!  Coach B. suggests using all 3 equally, at least 20 times per day and keeping track on a tally sheet.

    Attention getters were one of the first things that I implemented on my WBT journey and it has proven to be a great way to get students' attention - so much better that what I did before WBT. You can find the webcast here at: Master class 2.0 Attention Getters.  

    What are some ways that you get your students attention?