5 Smart Tips to Take Hold of Students Attention in Classroom

With technology, a lot of things have changed in schools too. You can also say that technology has made school management easier with different software. Now schools use software like school admission software, school management system software, and school library management system to help teachers. But holding students attention in the classroom is still a challenge for some teachers.

Here are some effective tips to retain and regain students’ attention in the classroom.

Use Normal and Natural Tone of Voice

Some teachers use an above-normal volume in their classrooms. But talking at a high volume will affect your voice and you won’t be able to talk in a normal voice anymore in the future. Moreover, raising your voice is not the only way to get the attention of students. It also causes stress in the classroom.

You should also avoid using the high-volume voice because students mirror the teacher’s voice level. Instead, you can use different tones of voice when giving instructions and asking questions. For example, if you want to ask students to open their notebooks, your tone should be declarative. However, while asking questions use a conversational and inviting tone.

Start Speaking When Students are Quiet

This is a golden rule that will help you a lot in your teaching career. You should wait until students are quiet and ready to listen. Just wait and wait until they are quiet. If they are talking and you can’t also control your temptation to talk, you won’t get their attention. You will see slowly students will cue each other: "stop talking, the teacher is here", "shh", and "be quiet". They will do this by themselves.

But you need to be patient and your patience will pay off without raising your voice and shouting.

Use Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication is as important as verbal communication and sometimes even more than that. It is a great way to get students’ attention too. Holding hands in the air and making eye contact with the students will help you to make them quiet and to get their attention.

Maybe initially this tip took time but if you use it as a routine, students will get used to it and it will work wonderfully. In addition to it, flicking the light off and on is also an old tip that is effective to get students’ attention. You can also let them know what sign means. For example, a tap on the table means they have 3 minutes to wind up whatever there are doing.

Address Behavioural Issues Wisely and Quickly

It is important to address an issue as quickly as possible either it is between students or between you and students. Because bad feeling on part of students’ or yours’ can grow quickly. You should step away from the classroom or from other students along with students having conflict. You can ask them how you can help them. Show them you do care and try to resolve the issue wisely without accusing the children.

Don’t get angry because students will not share their issues with you anymore. Moreover, you should take a positive approach to address bad behavior.

Design Engaging Lessons

This tip is also very important for getting students’ attention. You may be familiar with the phrase that if you don’t have a plan for them, they might have one for you. So, always over plan because it is better if you run out of time instead of running short on a lesson. Because bored students create too much trouble.

If you haven’t planned the lesson properly, then be ready for too much talking and disturbance in your class. Of course, you need more time and attention to plan a well-designed and engaging lesson but it is worth spending time on planning.

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