If you’ve ever found yourself raising your voice just to quiet a noisy classroom, you’re not alone. But over time, that approach can take a toll. Research has shown that fear-based classroom management not only damages student-teacher relationships but also reinforces a sense of power imbalance that can hinder learning.
The good news? There’s a better way: attention getters.
Attention getters are short and consistent signals that help you quickly regain your students’ focus. They work great for transitioning between activities, stopping side chatter, or signaling the start of a new task. Best of all, they create a shared routine that helps make your classroom more predictable, calm, and respectful.
Before jumping into examples, it’s worth setting the stage. A smooth rollout helps students understand what each cue means and how they should respond. So let’s start with a few easy, practical steps to introduce attention getters into your classroom.
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Introducing Attention Getters to Your Classroom
Just like any other classroom routine, attention getters need to be taught clearly and practiced regularly. Start by modeling it yourself. Then, pick a student to play the teacher while you act as the student. After that, practice it with the whole class until everyone gets into a good rhythm.
Practice is everything. The goal is for your students to stop what they’re doing and focus on the moment they hear your signal. That kind of response doesn’t happen right away. It takes repetition, consistency, and patience to build.
One way to practice is through a fun and low-stakes activity. Ask students to walk around and chat about something light, like the highlight of their summer. Let them get fully into it. Then, give your attention getter and see how they respond. Gather back together and talk about how it went. If it takes four or five tries, that’s okay. Keep going until it clicks.
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Before giving the cue, make sure you’re ready. Stand where everyone can see each other. Have your directions in mind. Tell students exactly what to do, what they need, and where to go. Once you give the signal, wait for their focus. With enough practice, this routine becomes part of the flow. Now that we’ve covered the introductory steps, let’s look at some examples of attention getters you can use across grade levels.
| Attention Getter | How It Works | Examples / Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Call and Response | Verbal cue where students respond with a set phrase | Teacher: “Macaroni and cheese” Students: “Everybody freeze” |
| Music & Sound Effects | Audio cues to signal transitions or focus shifts | Background music or sounds using ClassPoint or a classroom speaker |
| Visual Aids | Non-verbal visual signals to guide behavior and transitions | Countdown timer, traffic light system, hand signal chart, interactive whiteboard |
| Hand Gestures | Quiet signals students respond to with matching actions | Raise hand for “Give me five,” touch ear to show listening, silent finger countdown |
| Lighting Cues | Flickering lights or spotlighting to reset focus visually | Flicker classroom lights or use ClassPoint’s spotlight tool |
1. Call and Response
Call and response is one of the oldest tricks in the book for grabbing attention. But these days, teachers are giving it a fresh twist. Instead of the usual, predictable lines, they’re coming up with fun, creative phrases that make students want to participate.
These quick back-and-forths work because students aren’t just hearing the cue. They have to respond. Such a split-second of interaction is often enough to bring the whole class back together.
Here are a few favorites shared by teachers online:
Teacher: “Macaroni and cheese.”
Students: “Everybody freeze.”
Teacher: “Hocus pocus.”
Students: “Everybody focus.”
Teacher: “Ready to rock.”
Students: “Ready to roll.”
2. Using Music and Sound Effects
Sometimes, the best way to get your students’ attention is to skip speaking altogether. Playing a quick sound effect or a bit of music when it’s time to transition can be a clear and calm way to refocus your class.
If you’re using PowerPoint, interactive teaching add-in tools like ClassPoint let you play background music during a live quiz while running your presentation in slideshow mode. It keeps the mood upbeat and helps students stay relaxed, even when they’re being assessed. Choose from its built-in music or upload your own to match the vibe of your lesson.
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3. Visual Aids
A powerful non-verbal cue to draw students’ attention back to you is using visual aids. They work well because they show what’s expected, making it easier for students to follow along. Visual learners, in particular, often find it easier to remember what they’ve seen rather than what they’ve heard. These aids also help maintain the flow of the lesson by offering non-disruptive cues.
Here are a few visual aids you can try in your classroom:
- Digital countdown timer: Tools like ClassPoint let you add a timer directly to your slide. This helps students manage their time and stay focused during activities.
- Signal light system: Use red, yellow, and green cards or visuals to communicate classroom expectations. For example, red means silent work, yellow allows quiet conversation, and green is for group work.
- Hand signal chart: Post a simple chart showing hand signals for common needs, like asking to go to the restroom or needing help. This lets students communicate without interrupting.
- Interactive whiteboard slides: With ClassPoint, you can insert whiteboard templates into your PowerPoint. Use them to brainstorm, illustrate ideas, or take class notes. You can also design your own to fit your lesson.
For more presentation tools in PowerPoint, click here.
4. Hand Gestures
Nonverbal cues like hand signals are a simple and effective way to manage your class without adding noise. They’re quiet, easy to spot, and help keep things running smoothly. Once students know what each gesture means, they can respond quickly without stopping the flow of what’s happening.
Before using hand gestures, take time to explain what each one means. Practice them together so students know exactly how to respond. If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to tweak it or try something new. If it’s working well, consider adding more.
Here are a few examples you can use:
Teacher: Raises hand to signal “Give me five”
Students: Raise their hands in return.
Teacher: Touches ear to check for listening
Students: Touch their ear to show they’re focused.
Teacher: Holds up five fingers and slowly lowers one at a time for a silent countdown
Students: Quiet down as the countdown finishes.
5. Lighting Cues
Back when you were a student, you probably remember the quick flick of the light switch. That simple action was a clear signal that it was time to quiet down, return to your seat, or look to the teacher. It worked then, and it still works now. A flicker of the lights cuts through the noise without needing to say a word. It’s fast, visual, and easy for everyone to notice.
This kind of cue is effective because it resets the room in seconds. When used consistently, students learn exactly what to do the moment it happens.
You can create a similar effect using tools in ClassPoint. With features like spotlight, you can highlight key parts of your slide to capture student focus. Whether you’re giving directions or pointing something out, these tools help guide attention without needing to speak.
Bottom Line: Regaining Your Students’ Attention Is A Challenge, But It’s Worth It
In a world full of constant noise and distractions, getting your students to refocus can feel like an uphill battle. Hence, attention getters matter more than ever. They’re simple but powerful ways to bring everyone back into the moment. Whether it’s your students or your co-teachers, these cues help create a shared understanding that it’s time to pause, reset, and focus.
Technology can make it seem like everything deserves our attention and that we have all the time in the world. But in reality, our time and focus are limited. Being intentional about how we guide attention in the classroom helps us protect that space and use it wisely.
At the core of every focused classroom is a teacher who is present, students who know what to expect, and a routine that brings everyone together. In a nutshell, it starts with one small cue and builds into a learning environment that values calm, clarity, and respect.
FAQs
What are attention getters in the classroom?
Attention getters are short verbal or non-verbal cues used by teachers to quickly grab students’ focus during lessons or transitions. They help manage classroom behavior and reduce the need for repeated instructions.
Why are attention getters important for classroom management?
Attention getters help create structure and consistency. They reduce disruptions, minimize the need to raise your voice, and allow smooth transitions, which support a calmer and more focused classroom environment.
What are some examples of effective attention getters for students?
Examples include call-and-response phrases like “Macaroni and cheese” followed by “Everybody freeze,” hand signals, visual cues like traffic light charts, music cues, and spotlight tools using tech like ClassPoint.
How can I introduce new attention getters to my class?
Start by modeling the cue yourself. Then, let students practice responding. Reinforce the routine with regular practice and be consistent. Adjust or add new cues based on what works best with your students.
Can technology tools help with using attention getters?
Yes. Tools like ClassPoint let you play music, use timers, insert whiteboard slides, and spotlight content, all of which can be used as effective attention getters during your presentation or lesson flow.
