Attention Grabbers

Wow, it's been a month since I posted here. But honestly, that's the time it's been between my sub jobs. It's not like the phone hasn't been ringing, it has, almost off the hook. I just haven't been able to take anything. That's one of the things I LOVE about substituting: there's no backlash for not being able to take a job. At least that's what everyone tells you. This is becoming more the likely with the automated sub calling systems. I don't know about anyone else, but I don't have any qualms about telling a computer "No." I always felt bad telling a person, and even when I'm already booked, I still feel bad telling a person, versus the computer.

Anyway, I wanted to write today about Attention Grabbers.

As the substitute teacher, you may or may not know how the regular classroom teacher gets the attention of the students. Not knowing how to get the attention of the students can be rather scary at first. You can always fall back on the basics of clapping a rhythm and having the class repeat it. Or you could flick the lights. Or you could count to a certain number. These all have their pros and cons. For me, well, I've decided to try something different.

I came across this post on Pinterest:

So I decided to give it a try with my next upper grade class. I figured something like the McDonald's one or the Goodbye one would well with them. So this past week, I taught fifth grade and gave it a try. There was another one that the kids came up with:

Teacher: Red Robin

Students: Yum!

Now there is a reason I wanted to try it on an upper grade class. The reason is because I knew it would take a little explaining that even though these were fun and different, I was still trying to get their attention. So when they would reply, they would have to be quiet afterwards. I would have to say, it worked pretty well. I would suggest picking a few and keeping it simple. Something like "Goodbye" may not go over well. The only student in the class I was in that knew the correct response was probably one who spent some time at football games. (She was wearing a cheerleader top on Friday for Spirit Day.) Something like "Great Balls of Fire" probably wouldn't work without snickers in a fifth grade classroom. Not to mention the kids may not know the song. Kids may also not know "ABC." I decided to go with the most recognizable ones since I was substituting only for one day. This way, I wouldn't have to have them remember something totally different.

There are some of these attention grabbers that would work really well with younger kids. I might try them the next time I'm in a younger classroom. I'll see how that goes when it comes.

Mrs. C