Solution Sunday: Controlling Classroom Noise Levels
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The Solution: One of the easiest ways to refocus students is with a quiet, melodious sound. In fact, the Zenergy Chime Quintet is perfect not only for quieting down a classroom full of rambunctious ten year olds, it can also be played in a variety of different ways to make transition times smoother or give students a signal that it is time for a stretching or brain break. Another out-of-the-box solution is the Deluxe Yacker Tracker. This traffic light inspired decibel measuring unit monitors the noise level in your classroom and can be mounted on the wall or stand upright on a table or desk. The “traffic” lights illuminate depending on the amount of noise in the classroom. You can even program it to play sounds or verbal warnings when the noise level gets too high. With the handy remote control, you can control it from across the room. Set goals with your students to keep it green all day long.
While classrooms with actively engaged learners do tend to be a bit more verbal, you can still set limits for noise levels. It is important for students to understand how their voice levels can detract from others’ ability to concentrate. Don’t be afraid to try something different and watch your students finally master the ideal classroom noise level.
How do you solve classroom noise level issues? Share your ideas below!
Solution Sunday Giveaway! When you share your solution for the classroom noise level problem above, you’ll be automatically entered into the Solution Sunday Giveaway. All entries are due before 11:59pm EST on Sunday, February 3rd, 2013. They will be entered into a random drawing for a Zenergy Chime Quintet. One lucky winner will be contacted by email to claim their prize on or before Wednesday, February 6th. You must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the United States or Canada at the time of entry. Good luck!
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The Problem: Some days the classroom noise level goes from sounds of productive learning to cacophony in no time flat. Getting students to focus, grabbing their attention, and creating that atmosphere of learning is essential. You do not want to raise your voice or compete with the noise, students are not looking at you long enough to see your hand raised with the “quiet signal”, and while you thought that clapping would work, it just is not having the desired effect. So, what do you do? How do you capture students’ attention, lower the classroom’s noise level, and still encourage positive interactions? Never fear, Really Good Stuff Solutions is here!
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Commented On February 3rd, 2013 8:28 am
I have the dekuxe yacker tracker in my room and I just love it. The students can visually track their noise level and make ajustments.
Commented On February 3rd, 2013 5:06 pm
While I have a Yacker Tracker and a predetermined quiet signal I find in my classroom that the one thing that has worked best with my Kindergarteners is to whisper. When I whisper they start to imitate me and they whisper too. If I try raising my voice to talk over them, they get louder – that prompted me to try the opposite and it worked! Modeling at it’s best!
Commented On February 3rd, 2013 5:09 pm
For my 4-yr-old students, I just turn off the lights. It is simple and immediately quiets them. Then I gradually turn them back on. No loud teacher voices are necessary.
Commented On February 3rd, 2013 5:11 pm
I turn off the lights or set an online bomb timer. I have been thinking about getting a chime or a bell recently.
Commented On February 3rd, 2013 5:21 pm
We start voice-level modeling on the first day of school. We discuss the classroom expectations for different activities. Then, I make sure to give lots of positive praise (as well as occasional rewards) to students doing the right thing. If the activity noise-level is too much, we stop immediately and meet together to discuss what went wrong. Then we go back to the activity and try again. I teach a multi-grade small class (12 students), and have most of my students for 3 years, so they are very familiar with the expectations. I also count down at transition times so that the students know where to be and how quickly. Works great for my group … We get many compliments from other teachers about our quiet, yet active and busy, classroom!
Commented On February 3rd, 2013 5:28 pm
I just told my class I was going to get a set of chimes to quiet them down. Currently I count backwards, but I think I need the Zenergy Chime Quintet, for me!
Commented On February 3rd, 2013 5:41 pm
I use two methods: One is to just sit down and be totally quiet. When they notice me sitting, they get silent. The other is to clap a pattern with the last two claps left off. The kids clap those two beats and I have their attention.
Commented On February 3rd, 2013 5:51 pm
I use ClassDojo, and it works wonders! My students actually are begging me to start it first thing as I walk in the door each morning! I also have the “No Yell Bell” which has different cool sounds to get their attention when we are switching activities during centers.
Commented On February 3rd, 2013 5:53 pm
I use different tools my favorite at the moment is a chinese drum. I wanted a set of chimes but have not been able to afford one yet. I also use clapping and turning the lights off.
Commented On February 3rd, 2013 6:15 pm
We practice from day 1 and I clap and they repeat the pattern. It works in our classroom but the chimes would be a nice change.
Commented On February 3rd, 2013 9:17 pm
I have previously tried different techniques and I am still trying find one that works all year.i have always wanted to buy a yacker tracker and I am interested in trying the chimes. I teach volume levels
At the beginning of the year and throughout the year, but this year my kids are very chatty.