Kids Talking Over You? Shouting Out When It’s Time To Listen?… TRY THIS!
Lately, what's making me crazy is when the students talk over me. Why don’t they understand that it is their turn to listen?!
Ohhh girl, I've got something for you to try...
First off, this is going to seem like a weird strategy, but I want you to try whispering.
When you get into a "who can be louder" battle with your kids, they'll always win.
It's almost impressive, how loud they can be sometimes...amiright?
Almost... but like, please - make it stop.
Here's what I want you to do: Pick a go-to phrase, "Ooops!" or "Uh-O"
Those are the only two options... pick "OOPS" or pick "UH-O."
Don't overthink it, you're going to be amazing.
Ok, good... now, You're sitting in front of the kids, ready to start the morning-
You're going to WHISPER that first message to the kids, "Friends, today we are going to..."
First kid interrupts.
You quickly respond, "Ooops!" (or uh-o!)
(I use them interchangeably.)
You can put your finger up to your lips if you want to give them a visual cue at the same time... "oops!"
Then, you wait.
If other kids start talking, immediately repeat the correction phrase "Oops!" or "Uh-o!
It's going to take more corrections the first few times, but they will start to catch on quicker.
You don't necessarily need to make eye contact with the shouter-outer.
Usually, just the quick response of your voice to their interruption, should be enough to stop it...
BUT, you certainly can make direct eye-contact (if a student needs it)
Just put this in your back pocket... in case you need it someday.
Once you've addressed the kids that are talking...
wait another few seconds...
Let them calm their bodies.
Smile . Breathe .
Then, you start whispering your message again.
**If every kid at the carpet is talking at the same time, you should start using a few strategies to get their attention.
NOBODY PANIC.
I got one for you to try...
This is a great one...
It's called "Match Me."
You whisper, "Match me." ... and do something for them to match.
(stick out your tongue, put your hands up in the air, blink your eyes a lot, wiggle your arms)
The louder they are, the more obvious your first signal should be, so if they are super loud you want to start with putting both arms up in the air and doing something obvious that will grab their attention.
Then, you want to reduce the movements as you go.
More kids will catch on.. and the room will get quieter.
It looks like this...
(CLASSROOM IS GOING BANANAS)
You whisper "Match me"...and wave your arms in the air. (Some kids will do what you do.)
Again, you whisper, "Match me"...and put your hand under your chin and wiggle your fingers. (More kids will do it.)
Then, whisper, "Match me" and touch your nose.
Then, whisper, "match me" and roll your shoulders...
Once they are quiet enough...you can start whispering your original message to them...
(It's important that you WHISPER... once you get the volume down low, keep it down there!)
As soon as someone disrupts (whether they yell out or start touching their friends) address them, with a quiet, but firm-- "Ooops!".... next kid interrupts, "Uh-o."
****IMPORTANT: For your tough kids --be sure to follow up immediately when they stop the disruptive behavior - you can acknowledge it with a quick, "Good Choice." or "Thank you." (This will go A LONG WAY in relationship building with that kiddo.)
Make sure to throw Lots of these kinds of phrases in there:
"You guys are so smart!"
"I am so glad that you are here."
"You are such great listeners."
"Wow, look at you all."
"I am so happy to be your teacher."
Like always...
MORE OF THESE ALWAYS.
(LESS negative nancy.)
Ya, I said it.
It's not always easy, but I know you can do it.
Got it?
Good.
Don't worry, I'm here to support you... lots more where these came from... stay tuned!
