No Series: Attention Getter: Say the Secret Word

Attention Getter: Say the Secret Word

Lesson Objective: Use a "secret word" to get students' attention
All Grades / All Subjects / Management
1 MIN

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Discussion and Supporting Materials

Thought starters

  1. How does having students select the secret words encourage positive class culture?
  2. How can this simple, positive approach take the stress out of classroom management?
  3. In what other ways can you easily involve students in establishing class routines and rules?

44 Comments

  • Private message to Gabrielle Spence

1. Having students choose the safe word can encourage positive class culture because the students can feel that their interests and their voice are being heard and taken into consideration. 

2. This simple approach can take some stress off of classroom management because like the teacher expressed in this video, you do not have to continuously count down or say "all eyes up here, I need you to get quiet, etc." You can set the expectation with the secret word and they follow. 

3. I have involved my students in the process of creating our class rules and asked for their input on what to do when certain expectations are not followed. I have also asked my students what things they prefer for morning work, so that they get the chance to converse with their friends at the start of the day while also getting some things done (such as reading together).

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  • Private message to Summer Edge

How does having students select the secret words encourage positive class culture?

This give's more power to the students, which creates a positive class culture. 

How can this simple, positive approach take the stress out of classroom management?

This takes out the stress of tryign to come up with a words, or phrase that students will enjoy responding to 

In what other ways can you easily involve students in establishing class routines and rules?

By allowing students to come up with classroom jobs. 

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  • Private message to Kelsey Landry
  1. How does having students select the secret words encourage positive class culture?                                                      It encourgaes a positive class culture because it allows the students to collectively decide what word they will most effectively and efficiently respond to.
  2. How can this simple, positive approach take the stress out of classroom management?                                                   Because they students determine the attention-grabbing word, it removes the guessing game of trying to discover what signal the students will react to. As a result, the stress is taken out of classroom management.
  3. In what other ways can you easily involve students in establishing class routines and rules?                                            Offering feedback opprtunities and class votes at various points in the semester to determine new routines or rules will they students to take ownership of their classroom.
Recommended (1)
  • Private message to TC-106 LU-21

Wonderful idea!  Thank you. 

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  • Private message to Giovanni Sloan

The Curriculum Department has given me permission to skip this discussion.

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Transcripts

  • [Music]

    In the beginning of the year, I have the students suggest words that they love or like. Whatever strands

    [Music]

    In the beginning of the year, I have the students suggest words that they love or like. Whatever strands 0:16, wherever it’s coming from, not a problem. We vote, and we narrow it down to three. Then, from the three top contenders, then the kids vote on their favorite word out of the three. That word then becomes our secret word.

    Power! Okay. Just for clarification, guys, you guys need to follow the instructions.

    Whenever they hear that word come out of my mouth, it means that everything stops, eyes come back on me, and we continue whatever needs to continue. It’s a better situation than having the teacher stand in front of the classroom asking, “Be quiet! One, two, three!”

    Power! Very good. I was hearing a lot of good conversations, and I—

    It’s a different way, and it seems less negative. In their eyes, it’s more of a positive response, and they chose it, so it’s their word.

    [Music]

    [End of Video 1:17]

School Details

Amistad Dual Language School
4862 Broadway
New York NY 10034
Population: 406

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Teachers

teachers
Olga Ramos