Dec 11, 2011

Art Room Attention Getters

What better way to explain to you how I get my student’s attention in the art room then SHOW you through the first AOE video! There really is a person who exists behind this blog and here I am! Enjoy the video and let me know in the comments how you like the video concept – Would you like to see more? Also be sure to share your own tactics for Art Room “Attention Getters” in the comments section below.

Links Mentioned:

Whole Brain Teaching

http://tishalou.blogspot.com/ Tisha Burke

Thanks – and I love the video!! I would be interested to hear how you teach each attention getter – do you just throw it out there and model what to do or do you have a process to teach them what they should do when they hear each attention getter?
- http://theartofeducation.wordpress.com Jessica Balsley
  
  Tisha,
  Sometimes I make it a mini lesson but sometimes I just throw it out there, practice once or twice and use it that class period! For K at the beginning of the year I make them mini lessons.
  Hope it helps!
http://mrscrosbysartroom.wordpress.com Clara Crosby

Great ideas! Thanks for these! I want more videos!
Chris Lincoln

Jessica, thanks so much for the video. I do some of the “attention getters” but will give some of the new ones a try! Loved the video (I’m a visual learner!). Merry Christmas to your new family,
Chris
karen

This is great, love the video format and it is great to meet the wonderful person behind all the great ideas!!!
- http://theartofeducation.wordpress.com Jessica Balsley
  
  Awww, thanks Karen! Blushing!
http://Msnovak.blogspot.com Ms Novak

Depending on the class and what is going on will depend on what attention getter I use. The following are ones I use often!
1) I will say things like “if you can hear my voice put your hands on your head. If you can hear my voice touch your toes- hands on your shoulders….” I do his till I have everyone’s attention. This is great for those kids that have a hard time putting down supplies!
2) often times I will place out a bucket for scraps or a material I want put in a certain spot. To get he students attention I will balance the tub on my head and ask students to raise their hand when they can tell me wha I have on my head. This is such a strange request that students look up immediately and are ready for the instruction.
This could easily be adapted to “what color is the container I’m holding”
- http://theartofeducation.wordpress.com Jessica Balsley
  
  You always have the best ideas- I your “extreme attention getting” techniques- bound to work and I will have to try, esp with my rowdy 1st grade at the end of the day.
  - http://msnovak.blogspot.com Ms. Novak
    
    Haha. Thanks Jess. Yes both techniques work well with high physical energy classes — I have found that the first technique (If you hear my voice put your hands on your head” works exceptionally well with really LOUD classes. I talk in a normal voice when I say it – but since kids are doing strange things like touching their toes or turning in circles it tends to grab the attention of near by students. — Also works great with LARGE numbers of kids — ei. on the bus, assembly, etc.
    
    Give it a try and let me know how it goes.
    - Vivian
      
      Ms. Novak, Thanks for sharing these ideas! I will certainly have fun implementing these strategies!:)
Kathy Olson

Loved the video! Nice way to present your ideas to us.
- http://theartofeducation.wordpress.com Jessica Balsley
  
  Thanks, Kathy, Glad you liked it!
Kellie Determan

Jess, once again this has been a terrific lesson! I like the different ways you explain Attention Getters. A couple of them I’ve heard and used before. The WBT ‘Class-Yes” works for about half a year or so. I know that I have to switch up attention getters and think I’ll be trying out a couple of yours. Thank you!
http://www.k6art.com Rina

Loved the video! I have tried several of these attention getters over the years, but some are brand new to me. I will test a new one out this week. Thanks for the post.

Rina at k6art.com
http://twitter.com/greeneyegal Theresa Gillespie (@greeneyegal)

Loved the video and great ideas! I have an attention getter that I have been using with my elementary students for a few years now and it’s time to change it up some. I say “Mona” and they respond “Lisa” then freeze and put eyes on me. It works – just time to shake it up a bit. I like the idea of using a different tone or way of saying it – I think I will give that a try.

Thanks for all your great ideas!
Theresa (@greeneyegal)
http://josettebrouwer.edublogs.org/ Josey

Great ideas from you and from fellow teachers! I do enjoy the video format too. Here’s another variation that I’ve seen but not tried – seems to work great with lower elementary – teacher says Ring! Ring! and students pick up their imaginary phone (hands are then free) and say “Hello Hello”. Kind of goofy but I hear the kinder-first grade bunch loves it.
- http://theartofeducation.wordpress.com Jessica Balsley
  
  All Great ideas!
http://www.bcwmsart.weebly.com Janine Campbell

I use the Time Out Sign while saying “Time Out” – then thank students who show it back to me. They like hearing their name being called for a thank you and it usually gets really quiet after I thank about two or three students. This is from Capturing Kids’ Hearts training.
http://kgmaddox.blogspot.com Katie

Thank you! I tried the counting down today…I think it really helped some of the kiddos!
- http://theartofeducation.wordpress.com Jessica Balsley
  
  Great to hear that you tried it and liked it!
http://artclassworks.blogspot.com/ lori

Jessica.. thanks for doing the video..loved the format and helpful info… I put the countdown one to the test and it worked wonderfully! The kids really responded to it! Thanks and I look forward to the next video!!
- http://theartofeducation.wordpress.com Jessica Balsley
  
  Great, Lori! So glad to hear it worked for you.
Nicki

I just thought I would let you know…I tried this today (the “What have I got on my head” one) and I cannot believe how my class of Grade 4′s responded – they started copying my hands and my mouth expressions until I had them all in silence after about 5 seconds! Such a fun and effective way to get their attention! Nearly as successful as the “Oh Look! There’s a bear at the window”" but that only works the once lol!
Thanks for the website Jessica – keep them coming!
http://Artprojectgirl.blogspot.com Erica

When you said you do the signal until they get it… That really stuck for me. Tried repeating signals till they got it. Works better then getting frustrated! Thanks!
- http://theartofeducation.wordpress.com Jessica Balsley
  
  Glad it helped! Have a great holiday, Erica!
Molly

I have a music wand that I got from treeblocks.com that I use to get their attention.
The wands come in really cool shapes and make a beautiful sound when you tap it on a surface. I call it my magic wand!
Thanks so much for all your great ideas. I really love your blog!
- Vivian
  
  Love that idea! I will need to look into that!