An unruly classroom can often be tricky to navigate. Getting students' attention and bringing them back down to a calm and normal noise level can sometimes be a daunting task.
We have some tried and tested ideas to help you gain back control confidently and effectively.
15 Tried and Tested Attention Getters for Middle School
Now more than ever, teachers have to find inventive ways to get their students back on track. Attention-getting tools have been a teacher’s secret weapon for generations. In this article, we’ll share our favorite attention getters for middle school that will help you regain control of any classroom!
Why Use Attention Getters for Middle School Students?
Attention getters are typically associated with younger classes. However, upper-level classes can benefit from the quick and easy tools as they require an instant response from students. This instant response will calm the room and get them back on track!
How to Use Attention Getters in the Classroom?
Attention-grabbing techniques work best with repetition. If you introduce them to your class at the beginning of the school year and use them repeatedly for the first few weeks, they should become habitual for your students!
It is important to remember that students will have more than one class at the middle school level. Therefore, they may be learning more than one (or two, or three) of these attention-getting tools simultaneously. This is why practice makes perfect!
Our Favorite Attention Getters for Middle School
These tried and tested attention-getting techniques will calm even the most unruly classrooms!
Call and Response Attention Getters
Teacher: ''No bees, no honey.”
Students: “No work, no money!”
This is a simple call-and-response technique that will be easy for your class to remember due to the rhyme.
Teacher: “Freeze! Everybody, clap your hands!” (Cha Cha Slide Beat)
Students: (Clap their hands seven times)
This one is great for students who need to move! It lets them make purposeful noise and exert energy through clapping. However, depending on the class, some students may take it as an opportunity to be rowdy.
Teacher: “Hakuna…”
Students: “Matata!”
This Disney reference is another simple call-and-response attention-getter that your class will be sure to remember.
Teacher: “Let’s go [school mascot]!”
Students: (Clap their hands five times)
Similar to the Cha Cha Slide attention-getter, this one also allows your students to make purposeful noise and exert energy. This is a positive attention-getting technique to get students in the school spirit.
Teacher: "Ready, set, eyes on me!"
Students: "Ready, set, eyes on you!"
This interactive attention-getter encourages students to focus their attention directly on the teacher, preparing them for instruction or a transition to a new activity.
Directional Attention Getters
Teacher: “If you can hear me, put your hands on your head.”
Students: (Put hands on heads)
This is, essentially, a quick game of Simon Says without Simon. There is no need to yell with this one. As you play quietly, the rest of the class will catch on.
Teacher: “Shout-out to _____ for being ready.”
Give the students who are focused and ready to learn a shout-out. For a humorous spin, you could say, “Shout-out to _______ for being my favorite student! They are ready for instruction.”
Teacher: “Give me five!”
Class: (Counts down from five to one)
This one is a calm countdown. Simply raise your hand with all five fingers up, and count down aloud to one. Students mimic your movements. As they get used to this tool, you can even eliminate saying the numbers aloud.
Non-Verbal Attention Getters
Bell
Use a chime or pleasant-sounding bell to grab your students' attention and signal that it is time to be quiet.
Timer
Project a countdown on the board or use an alarm clock with a visible countdown. Train your students to be silent before the timer reaches zero.
Play a song
Similar to the timer technique, play a song over the classroom speakers and train your students to be silent by the time the song ends. This technique gives students time to finish whatever assignment or project they are working on before turning their attention back to you.
Lights off
This is a simple technique that is sure to get your middle school class’s attention. Try turning off the lights, wait for the class to settle, and continue instruction.
Whistle
Whether you have a whistle or you can whistle yourself, it works as a simple behavior management tool.
Toy or button with music
We have all seen those “easy buttons.” There's quite a variety that could act as fun attention grabbers!
Clap
Clap in a specific sequence and have the class mimic your pattern. This is another idea that allows your students to exert energy purposefully.
Looking for More Classroom Management Resources?
We hope these 15 attention-getting techniques help your students focus quickly! If you are looking for extra support here, visit our Classroom Management hub, where you’ll find our best classroom management resources, from room set-up advice to behavior modification articles to effective teaching methods.
