Noisy Classroom/Quiet Classroom
Noisy classrooms can be a nightmare, but so can a quiet classroom when you have just instructed your class to share with each other. The problem is not the talking but to do the right type of talking at the appropriate times.
***If you are a teacher like me you want students to listen when its direct instruction, talk when in a discussion, share when they have something valid to share and speak out when when it is time to defend an opinion. I have battled this idea for many years and experimented with several methods and final found a useful technique that works extremely well.
The first idea most teachers jump to is the Noise O Meter. A light that gives a signal when students are too loud. This works okay for a short time but you have students that love to make the meter go off. The problem is that the light only helps control the sound from getting too loud, it doesn't help when you want students to share appropriately and students get desensitized to the sound.
The best way to achieve a good classroom where students learn to use the appropriate level of sound for the correct activity is to train them. I use a light that can be changed with a remote. You can change it from anywhere in the classroom. Then I color code the light with a breakdown on the wall. I make a light for each kind of volume level I would like in my class. As they practice each sound level I reward them for keeping the level as I have color coded them.
Light Colors and Their Meaning
Red- Don't talk without raising your hand.
Yellow-Whisper
Green-Actively working on assignment
Blue- Don't Disturb the teacher
White- Use your digression
At first I use the lights to teach the sound level. After using the light system for a while you can implement the white light. The white light is a way for students to use their judgement of how they should be acting. They learn to judge by the activity and what you say how they should be acting. Eventually all you have to do is leave the light on white and they will be able to make the right decision based on what they have learned.
Unintended Bonuses
Red light also means do not enter classroom. In the mornings or after recess if I need a few more seconds to get started I leave the light on red. I train students not to come in unless the light is red. This gives me a little more time without answering the same question 100 times, "Can we come in yet?"
Blue light means do not interrupt the teacher. This is for a sanity check. Those moments when you need to take roll, deal with a behavior issue, or just get something pressing done, the blue light tells students to not bother you and if you have a student leader assigned they can go straight to them for questions.
Final thoughts
Although this is not the noise o meter and doesn't automatically beep when students reach a certain level, I have found that this is a better learning tool to teach a variety of sound levels and makes the students aware and responsible to change their own sound level to the appropriate activity. I love using it and because there are so many different colors you may be able to customize this to your own needs.
I recommend you give it a try. Its fun and easy and could have many more uses. Please share other uses you have found below in the comments.
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Noisy classrooms can be a nightmare, but so can a quiet classroom when you have just instructed your class to share with each other. The problem is not the talking but to do the right type of talking at the appropriate times.
***If you are a teacher like me you want students to listen when its direct instruction, talk when in a discussion, share when they have something valid to share and speak out when when it is time to defend an opinion. I have battled this idea for many years and experimented with several methods and final found a useful technique that works extremely well.
The first idea most teachers jump to is the Noise O Meter. A light that gives a signal when students are too loud. This works okay for a short time but you have students that love to make the meter go off. The problem is that the light only helps control the sound from getting too loud, it doesn't help when you want students to share appropriately and students get desensitized to the sound.
The best way to achieve a good classroom where students learn to use the appropriate level of sound for the correct activity is to train them. I use a light that can be changed with a remote. You can change it from anywhere in the classroom. Then I color code the light with a breakdown on the wall. I make a light for each kind of volume level I would like in my class. As they practice each sound level I reward them for keeping the level as I have color coded them.
Light Colors and Their Meaning
Red- Don't talk without raising your hand.
Yellow-Whisper
Green-Actively working on assignment
Blue- Don't Disturb the teacher
White- Use your digression
At first I use the lights to teach the sound level. After using the light system for a while you can implement the white light. The white light is a way for students to use their judgement of how they should be acting. They learn to judge by the activity and what you say how they should be acting. Eventually all you have to do is leave the light on white and they will be able to make the right decision based on what they have learned.
Unintended Bonuses
Red light also means do not enter classroom. In the mornings or after recess if I need a few more seconds to get started I leave the light on red. I train students not to come in unless the light is red. This gives me a little more time without answering the same question 100 times, "Can we come in yet?"
Blue light means do not interrupt the teacher. This is for a sanity check. Those moments when you need to take roll, deal with a behavior issue, or just get something pressing done, the blue light tells students to not bother you and if you have a student leader assigned they can go straight to them for questions.
Final thoughts
Although this is not the noise o meter and doesn't automatically beep when students reach a certain level, I have found that this is a better learning tool to teach a variety of sound levels and makes the students aware and responsible to change their own sound level to the appropriate activity. I love using it and because there are so many different colors you may be able to customize this to your own needs.
I recommend you give it a try. Its fun and easy and could have many more uses. Please share other uses you have found below in the comments.
<<<Please share with your friends that may want classroom Management tips Subscribe to be update with more classroom tips.
I have placed a link here to purchase the same light I use in my classroom. It is an affiliate link and if you are going to purchase it I appreciate you getting it through my link. If you are an amazon prime member you can get it in 2 days. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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