20 Terrific Quiet Signals That Work!

Advice from Real Teachers Series

When you teach hands-on lessons and use active engagement strategies, it goes without saying that you MUST have an effective quiet signal! You'll use it over and over again, so it can't be too annoying, and it needs to be something that will get your class quiet in less than 5 seconds.

I shared my favorite quiet signal on my Teaching Resources Facebook page and asked the followers to share their favorites with me. I loved the quiet signals that were shared so much that I decided to compile the responses as a post in my Advice from Real Teachers series. If you want to read my original question on Facebook and see the responses for yourself, click here.

20 Terrific Quiet Signals That Work! 
My favorite quiet signal is the set of chimes below, and I shared this image when I posted my question. Several teachers agreed with me and explained how they use chimes in their classrooms. Other favorite quiet signals included a mixture of "call and response" strategies as well as a variety of fun noise-making objects like a train whistle, a concierge bell, and a Tibetan singing bowl! I've included Amazon links* for those items so you can learn more about them if you're interested.

1. Carol Hunt - Chimes...works like a dream! I use it to transition center activities. 
2. Karen Swales - I had a set of these chimes in my classroom. They were especially effective with students with sensory processing issues and children on the autism spectrum.
3. Reuben Hks - I raise my hand, and then students raise their hands and stop talking. This gives students a chance to finish their conversation if they are talking with a partner or working in a group.
4. Pepper Sullivan - I use non-verbal signals.  I hold up 5 fingers and move about the room.  As students notice and start to pay attention, I drop to 4, then 3, then 2, then 1 as they all get quiet.
5. Linda Legman - I say , "1, 2, 3,  look at me!" They respond, "1, 2,  look at you!"
6. Sam Shaw - I've got a plastic dog toy duck that I squeeze.......it quacks.....I've also got a silly bike horn....
7. Deborah Brooks - I have verbal cues as I am all over the room and won't readily have something nearby to chime and such. I usually say " Awesome!" And they reply "POSSUM"!
8. Kelli Jo Wusterhausen  - One I learned from a colleague was "and a hush falls over the crowd" and they say "hushhhh" and the listen. 
9. Jillian Bishop – A Tibetan singing bowl works well  
10. Rosemary Montenegro - I flicker the light and say, in a very upbeat voice, "Show me your listening wings!" The kids stop what they're doing and stretch their arms out to let me know that they are listening!
11. Matt Hill - I say "Sharkbait" and they say "Ooh ha ha" and freeze.
12. Mindy Halverson - My favorite is a throw back to Vanilla Ice. I say "Stop" and the kids respond with "Collaborate and listen." I teach them how the song does it. We also talk about what collaborate means. I have had some groups that really got into it which made it more fun.
13. Jaqui OShaughnessy - A wind chime. SO gentle and always gets the kids' attention.
14. Casey McAdam - I say, "Hands on top, that means stop."  The kids stop playing because their hands must touch the tops of their heads.
15. Karen Swales - For something more hands on, a Kalimba is a very soothing (and quiet) instrument. It's very calming when the student holds it with both hands to play. I found one similar to this at a local craft fair. 
16.  Phillip Gumery - I use the simple ringtone on my mobile. It’s loud enough to get attention and works as a quiet time signal as well.
17. Peter Jarvis - One classroom I saw had a remote doorbell. The button was on the teacher’s desk and the chime part somewhere in the classroom.
18. Alicia Figluizzi - I use this bell and teach my high school students two signals. One ding means simmer down, be aware of noise/transition, and two quick dings means I need the whole class's attention or a transition is about to occur.
19. Amanda Becker - I have 7 things. Haha - variety!  1. Concierge bell  2. Train whistle - mostly for clean up  3. Rainstick  4. Peace sign with my fingers 5. Coconut piano chime (it's awesome!) 6. Rhythm clap  7. Call and respond techniques
20. Shawn Collins - I teach my students to respond to my verbal call in the same way. .. For example, If  say,  "Claaaaaaaassss." They respond "yeeesssssss?" I switch it up using a southern drawl, a British accent, and so on.  (This strategy was originally developed by Chris Biffle, founder of Whole Brain Teaching, and you can read more about it here.) 

How to Teach Your Quiet Signal

After you choose a quiet signal, it's important to teach it to your students so they know exactly what to do when they see or hear your signal. After you explain the procedure, have them practice it right away. Ask your students to pair up and discuss a topic of interest. After they've been chatting for 15 or 20 seconds, use the quiet signal. Then time your class to see how long it takes them to get quiet. Write the time on the board and challenge them to get quiet in under 5 seconds. Continue practicing until the class is able to accomplish this. It won't take as long as you might think! 

Having an effective quiet signal is one of the best ways to maximize instructional time. Instead of wasting precious minutes trying to get your class quiet so you can give the next set of directions, you'll have them quiet and ready to listen in 5 seconds! To learn more strategies for using quiet signals, click over to my Teaching Resources website.

Which of the 20 quiet signals shared here do you already use? Which new ones would you like to try? If you have your own favorites, I hope you'll share them with us in a comment on this post! 

*The links to products on Amazon are affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, you will not pay anything extra. However, I will earn a small commission on those sales which helps to support my work creating resources for teachers. Thanks!

How to Get Kids to Slow Down with Their Work

Advice from Real Teachers

When it comes to encouraging kids to produce quality work, one of the biggest problems we face is getting kids to slow down and take their time. For some reason, students seem to feel there's some sort of prize for the one who finishes first, or maybe it's just that they want to rush through some assignments to get to other activities they think will be more fun. If this is something that you struggle with in your classroom, read on to learn 25 terrific tips from real teachers who have solved this problem.  

Today's Question
Every week on my Facebook page, I post the Question Connection where I invite teachers to ask questions, and I later share those questions with the fans. When I see that a question receives a lot of responses, I compile the best of them into a blog post.

Today's teacher question comes from Cassandra who asks, "Can anyone share strategies for getting kids to slow down in their work? I feel like a lot my kids wanted to get things done as fast as possible and I struggled to motivate them to have pride in their work and take their time."

Top 25 Tips for Getting Kids to Slow Down with Their Work
Apparently many teachers have a similar problem, and lots of terrific strategies were shared. I eliminated duplicates and narrowed the list to what I felt were the top 25 responses. This question was posted two different times, and if you would like to read the complete responses, you can click here and here.

1. Gidget Greenlee - I always tell my students, "I would rather be the last A than the first F".
2. Casey McDaniel - 1) Explain how long you think the activity or assignment should take and why.  Emphasize quality of work and expectations. 2)  Have a turn-in tub "timer."  Don't "open" the tub until you think the appropriate amount of time has passed. 3)  Circulate around your classroom and keep an eye out for early finishers. Provide feedback and ask questions to help student dig deeper and put forth more effort. 4)  Do speed conferences. Review early finishers' work quickly and provide quick feedback verbally or on sticky notes to help students improve their work. 5)  Always have follow-up tasks to assign to early finishers so they are never "done."  This should eliminate some of the rush to complete assignments and place value on quality.
3. Cathy Vogler - I write them a "speeding ticket" and then put it in their planner for their parents to sign also. The student then has to do the work again during their free time at home and recess. I found the speeding tickets on TeachersPayTeachers.
4. Emma Farrell - Sometimes if they know there is a fun activity at the end, they tend to rush. I like to use a star system that encourages students to work towards five star rated work. Come together as a class to decide on what that will be. Each criteria will be different for each lesson. Add things like, spelling, neatness, structure (for genre writing), tense etc.
5. Lydia Wood - Have them write the time they start and time they finish on their paper. Give an example of how long a good paper should take. If they get a bad grade, you have proof of how long it took them
6. Julie Lawson - I tell me first graders "it's NOT a race ....(and they finish my sentence in unison ).. It's a JOURNEY".  Then I finish with "enjoy your journey."
7. Paula Cull -You can set a timer and explain all you want, but they're still going to rush through it.  If I see one of my middle schoolers rushing through something, I collect their assignment when it's finished and then give them another copy of the assignment and tell them that they will keep doing it until they do it correctly.  It sounds harsh, but they need to realize that they need to do their assignments correctly. 
8. Trinity Tracy - Set a timer and project it.  This shows them they still have plenty of time left.  It also has the added bonus of getting stragglers to speed up!
9. Judy Harrison I have an under 70 % redo policy.  That slows the speeders down, they hate having to redo work.
10. Melanie Dorrian - "I want your best work, not your fastest work."  Say it like you mean it.
11. Melanie Ketcham - Show them what an acceptable paper looks like and then show them what is not acceptable. Then stick to those standards and have rewards for those who follow your directions. (rewards could be to color, read, or play an academic game on the computer) The other students will soon follow your lead. They always want to please.
12. Anita Ernest - I tell my kids that I will not accept any "slop hoppin chop suey." I make them redo anything that is not their best work. They have to make it up during their free time (recess, specials, lunch)
13. Alex Javoian - Post exemplar model pieces and a general rubric so they can "grade" their own work before turning it in.
14. Virginia Nolland - I tell my kids to complete a section of work at a time then they must show me. If it's not up to expectation, they have to complete that part again. As their work improves I stretch out the time they have to show me.
15. Carie Rosa - This is a method used to help students do a good job on their work with a picture analogy. What you can do is take some pictures of you baking a cupcake in steps. The steps represent work turned in complete and not so complete just as you are baking a cupcake. You can take a picture of a perfectly finished cupcake and then make a sloppy one to take a pic of. Just show the difference and reference that to nice neat work. This year I will take four pictures and reference them to neat work. For example a plain non frosted cupcake, a perfectly frosted cupcake, a sloppy one and a burnt one.
16. Natalie Wheeler - I send best work to the principal for praise.  
17. Tiffani Reed - We talk about and model quality work. What is quality work? How do you know? Show examples. Have the kids tell you what makes it quality work. Then only accept quality work from your students.
18. CM Goodrich - Post a "Star" work poster displaying samples of great work, call it a club, and daily add new names as work improves.  Also might try no cost rewards for good work product like entering name in jar to draw for biweekly eating lunch in room with teacher, etc.
19. Joli Isip Scollo - Conference and give positive feedback and next steps (how to improve). Send them back to their seats to work on those next steps.
20. Shelley Rolston - As crazy as this sounds, the best strategy I had this year after sharing and promoting others work was a happy face in their agenda ( next year it will be Class Dojo) for effort and neat work. I spoke to the parents ahead of time and they worked out an incentive at home for the child's goal. (Ex 4/5 happy faces) It worked  MIRACLES for the five or so 2nd graders I had. I suspect it could be adapted for older kids. They have to want to care. For the rest of the class, sharing their work aloud and peer editing is very effective. In both cases you'll notice it is almost solely out of the teacher's hands which is where it needs to be.
21. Daniel Osborne - At the beginning of the year I make a big deal of being proud of your work. I show different examples of my own work from college or grad school and ask them to describe what they see. I also show them examples of work from some of previous students that are not acceptable. They go through them and give me reasons why they were not acceptable. I also say on a near daily basis, "Be proud of your work. Do not turn in slop."  If I do get slop I make them redo it. Once they see I am serious I rarely have students redo work.  
22. Georgia Boethin - I don't let students get up to turn their work in when they are finished.  They are to keep working or read if they get finished until I give them a signal that they have about a minute or two left to complete work.  I then ask them to pass their work to the east or west and then north or south to a designated person. I teach them to place their paper face up with the top aligned as it should be on the next student's desk.  That student passes both of them on to the next and so on.  All the papers are turned in at one time, and all of them are ready to just pick up and correct.  It keeps the classroom orderly, and it avoids that rush to be done when someone gets up to turn in a paper.  It's very efficient.  I teach fifth grade, so I don't know if it would work with younger students, but I would think that it would.
23. Angela Boykin-Schoppe - I make a LOT of comments praising quality work. What worked great with one of my boys (2nd grade) was letting him choose one assignment each day and do his very best.  It was so beautiful that even his classmates noticed and complimented it on it. Before long--and it only took a week--the quality work was the norm. This probably wouldn't work as well on older kids though.
24. Laurel  Quinn - I make a big deal out of quality student examples and what parts are to be celebrated. They go up on a star board. Rubrics are needed, too. I try not to accept rushed work. Keep making them redo, giving them pieces to focus on,  and eventually after hundreds of eyeball rolls, they will hopefully try the first time.
25. Sheila Quintana - I teach high school ELL. When my students tell me they're finished, I just point to the "I'm finished" folder stapled to the wall. They can choose to check their work or grab an assignment out of the folder. 9 times out of 10 they choose to make their work better. Those that choose an extra assignment can have that assign

Thanks to everyone who offered such terrific tips! If you would like to submit a teacher question, be sure to watch for the announcement on Wednesday evenings at 8 pm EDT on the Teaching Resources Facebook page. Great Questions + Advice from Real Teachers = The Question Connection! Enjoy!

What Every New Teacher Needs to Know

Advice from Real Teachers

Stepping into a classroom for the very first time is both exciting and overwhelming! As veteran teachers know, college can't begin to prepare you for the experience of being responsible for several dozen students for 6 or 7 hours a day, 5 days a week. Some things you have to figure out on your own, but many potential problems can be avoided if you follow a little advice from teachers who have traveled that road before you.

Today's Question
Kelsey, a fan of the Teaching Resources Facebook page, asked, "What's the one thing a new teacher needs to know?" Over 400 educators responded with insightful and relevant tips. Wow! I compiled the answers and removed duplicate responses, but so many were so good that I could not whittle the list down to any less than 50! So relax and enjoy this week's advice from real teachers!

50 Terrific Tips for New Teachers
Here are my picks for the top 50 tips for new teachers, in no particular order. If you would like to read all 400+ tips, you'll find that question here on the Teaching Resources Facebook page.

1. Norma Baer - Be flexible...things are always changing and just when you think you have something figured out there will be a monkey wrench thrown into your plans. Don't think you will ever apply EVERYTHING you learned in college. I've always said college in no way prepared me for the real thing. You learn as you go and don't be afraid to seek advice from your fellow team. There's a lot more, but that's a good start:) Best wishes to you!!!
2. Judy Clubine - Don't fall into the trap that the current trends suggest...DON'T reward bad behavior.  You will have those who will believe that by giving the bad actors "jobs,” that it will increase the child's self-worth to the point to where they won't act out.  With a select few, this will be true.  For the vast majority...It will merely reinforce the fact that "if I act out, I will continue to get to do these perks".  It also has a nasty side effect...The kids who are good all the time will see the bad actors getting perks for acting out and they will begin to act out in order to get those same perks.  I have gotten to witness this on a school-wide basis.  Don't go there.  You will create more problems than you will solve.
3. Larry Cupit - Spend TONS of time teaching, practicing and reinforcing routines and procedures from day ONE! You may feel like you are wasting your time, but time spent early in the year will reap benefits later in the year. Practice, practice, practice for the first six weeks!
4. Brianne Daigle - Be organized! Always over-plan and have a back-up plan :)
5. Cheryl Heather - I think I'd take a page from Harry Wong's book, and say that the first day is extremely important. First impressions stick. Be organized, be welcoming, and most of all, be yourself. The other most important thing to remember is that every child in your class is some mom & dad's most beloved treasure - and you're with each child more than parents are (on school days) - so be comfortable with how you treat kids - this is their life, their reality. They need love & support & understanding.
6. Rhonda Church - When a kid tells you they need to throw up...believe them!!
7. Christy Hardy - I just finished my first year. First, find a mentor teacher you can ask advice, vent, and get ideas from. Second, don't be surprised when you realize college doesn't prepare you for many aspects of teaching.  Third, establish firm and consistent rules and boundaries. Without good classroom management you will struggle.  Finally, have fun! Don't beat yourself up. Learn with your students, be patient with them and yourself.  Teaching effectively will come with practice and building strong relationships with your students.
8. Jenny Milton de Kock - Your degree only allows you to get the job. The real learning starts the day you walk into the classroom for the first time and it never stops. Experience is what turns you into a teacher
9. Kristen Brown - You can't be your students’ friend. They can like and respect you, but you're not their friend.
10. Amber Freshour - Patience will help you more than you know. I am a loud person, and It took me several years to learn that a calm  voice and demeanor is more effective than anything. When/if I do have to raise my voice, all eyes and ears are on me because it rarely happens. I felt like all I did my first years was yell. Management is the most important thing you can have. Attention signals work wonders (especially at elementary level). Have a procedure for EVERYTHING and TEACH the kids how to do them. If they don't feel safe and have a sense of routine, they will not learn as effectively.
11. Jeff  Bedwell - Don't worry about all thing big things you plan on doing... CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT (setting up procedures for everything). Procedures for everything: passing paper out, going to the restroom, morning, leaving and entering the room, turning in assignments,  EVERYTHING. Don't assume they just know, show them.
12. SarahAnn Lewis - Remember that all children learn at different paces and in different ways. It can be frustrating when you have already planned, but be flexible! Sometimes changing your lesson plans on the fly leads to a better lesson entirely, and helps the class understand.
13. Sue Anderson - Begin much, much more firm than you think you need to be (with love and respect, of course). You can ease up later, but you really can't go back and reign things in.
14. Gretchen McCue - Teach community! A child will remember how they felt in your class and especially how YOU made them feel all their lives. They may not, however, remember the lessons you taught them in L.A., Math, Science, and S.S. Make them feel safe and loved!
15. Laura Letts -Wright Make friends with the custodial staff.
16. Valerie Tuck - A new teacher needs to know how she will teach procedures and emphasis class rules.  She needs to establish clear rules and procedures and clear consequences that are consistently and fairly applied.  She needs to understand that in her class ALL children can learn and that NO child has the right to disrupt the teaching and learning environment.  This is her classroom where ALL children are respected and ALL children have a voice to be heard.
17. Marie Roberts - Don't take everything personally. Learn to, "Let it go, let it go..."
18. Barbara Gruener - Take good care of yourself: mind, heart, body and soul. And know that you've got an army of veteran teachers ready to assist you if only you ask for help when you need it.
19. Fiona Graham - Sometimes, the most significant thing you will do will be to show up. Even on days when you feel you've achieved nothing, you've done that. Never underestimate how important the presence of a calm, positive, responsible and reliable adult can be in a child or young person's life.
20. Emily Bowles - Always follow through with what you say. If you say they are going to get extra recess or a reward for something... DO IT!!  If you say you are taking away privileges...DO IT!!  They will know you mean business. Don't be afraid to ask your fellow teachers or principal for advice. Steal ideas from others!!
21. Kelly Bergeron - I just finished my first year of teaching! I think the most important thing is being prepared and organized, and flexibility is equally important! Lessons won't always go as planned, school functions come at the most inopportune times, sometimes the internet is down and everything that can go wrong... Often times will! You have to go with the flow and remain composed. Teaching isn't always how it appears on Pinterest! The most important thing is making your kids feel safe and happy while engaged  in meaningful learning.  This can be done without picture perfect decorations and perfectly executed lessons so in times of panic remember your end goal and modify your situation accordingly! Good luck!
22. Larissa Loua -You have to learn how to "disconnect" from the job. It is so difficult not to take the hardships of the children home with you. But setting boundaries between work and home is a very important thing to do. Takes some time! Good luck on your journey as an educator.
23. Allie Kaul -You set the tone every day.
24. Joell Wilkins - Don't be afraid to talk to other teachers for support, advice, and just to relate with an adult for a few minutes.
25. Teach Ersik - Stay away from adult drama whether it is from parents or teachers. Just stay away from it and remember who you are there to teach.
26. Pinky Ngo - The F-word in teaching is "Flexibility"!!!!
27. Jessica Dauenhauer - Keep good communication with parents. They are more likely to stay on your side if they know you are trying and that you care about their kid.
28. Linda Doering - Gravitate towards positive colleagues who inspire others & students alike.  Keep a journal, and for the first year really do reflections - in writing - on how lessons & activities go, how to improve or remove for the future.  Believe that ALL children can learn and that it IS your responsibility to know each & every one of them, how they learn, and to engage & build them up!  If you have children with special needs in your classroom please work closely - and with an open mind - to your Intervention Specialists & Paraprofessionals.  Work collaboratively for the success of ALL children.
29. Jennifer Keough - The only two things you MUST get through every day are lunch & attendance. Anything else really can wait until tomorrow if something comes up.
30. Geneva Goodney - Never be afraid to ask, to collaborate, to offer ideas and suggestions, or to trust your own instincts!
31. Melisa James - You need to know that college didn't prepare you for what you are about to do!!!  ;) You need to be adaptable and ready for constructive criticism, because the first couple of years are trial and error. Listen to veteran teachers and take advice. No matter how long you teach, every year you'll find something you need to change or improve upon.
32. Caitlin Riley - Document, Document, Document....it will help when parents/administrators ask why you gave a detention or why you did what you did.
33. Nicole Larkman - Balance. You NEED to have a balance between work/home. It may seem impossible at times, but it needs to be done!
34. Eva Bridgeforth - Don't be a martyr.  I've seen too many people sacrifice their health, sanity, and relationships for the job.  Prioritize and make the job sustainable...you will impact more lives by staying in the long run than by burning the midnight oil.
35. Stefanie Geoghegan - Have several backup activities ready for the kids for when the schedule changes and you suddenly need to occupy fifteen minutes, or if a teacher or administration needs to talk to you for a few minutes. Kids should be know what they are and be able to get to work without any extra directions.
36. Cara Cornell-Malone - Engage your students.  They should be reading, writing, and discussing every day.  Have a procedure for anything that will drive you crazy at some point during the school year.  Teach procedures and reteach procedures.
37. Michelle Long - You will want to give up, but don't....find a positive person in your school and talk to them.
38. Caitlyn Strange-Hendricks - It's hard...way harder than anyone thinks. But love your kids, and they will love you too.
39. Linda La Bella - Don't send kids to the principal's office
40. Tracy Gill - Have strict classroom management, but don't try to control every little thing the kids do. That will drive you nuts and push them to act out more. Let the little things slide while still holding them accountable for their actions.
41. Sharnie Van Lith - Build relationships before you think you're going to teach them anything. Respect them and they'll respect yo
42. Tracey Schimke - Expect the unexpected.
43. Melissa Alvarez - Find a partner teacher who is willing to take a kid when you need a time out from them
44. Rowena Hipol - Listen and learn from colleagues but trust your gut. Every day is a new day.
45. Steve Miller - Make the custodians, facilities and office staff your BEST friends....they RUN the school and know HOW to get things done there.....we just work there!
46. Maggie Kelly - It's all pointless without PASSION! You can sell them anything if you believe it and love it with your whole heart. That, and ALWAYS have a 'plan B'. Good luck!
47. Crystal Holshouser - Classroom management does not mean straight and perfect rows of sparking clean desks and eager straight A students..... It means a warm, welcoming classroom with an environment conducive to learning...... Remember, if you dread going to work, your kids have already checked out......
48. Jennifer Campbell - Being a new teacher doesn't make you any less capable, talented, or dedicated than more experienced teachers. Believe in yourself!
49. Tippi Matherley - Don't forget to sleep. You are only as good as you last night's sleep.
50. Amy Mcclain - Go with the flow. Flexibility is a key with little people. Of course that doesn't mean to not have plans and management but being able to change quickly and easily is important.

Question Connection - Advice from Real Teachers
Do you have a tip for new teachers that you would like to share? Please post it in a comment below. If you would like to submit a teacher question of your own, be sure to watch for the Question Connection announcement on Wednesday evenings at 8:30 pm ET on the Teaching Resources Facebook page. Even if you don't have a question, please follow me on Facebook and offer your advice when you see the questions come through!

Great Questions + Advice from Real Teachers = The Question Connection! Enjoy!

15 Tips for Lining Up Your Class

Advice from Real Teachers

Each Wednesday at 8:30 pm EST, I post the Question Connection announcement on the Teaching Resources Facebook Page, and teachers ask questions to be shared with the fans of the page. Through the week, I choose a few to feature on Facebook each day, where you're invited to chime in with your advice. When I see a post that receives a large number of responses, I compile the best answers to create a helpful blog post.

Today’s Question

Today's question actually comes from me instead of from a Facebook fan! I remember the trials and tribulations of having to get kids in a line and out the door, quickly and in an orderly manner. So I asked “What strategies do you use for getting kids to line up in an orderly fashion when you are going to lunch or to a special class like art or music?”

Apparently I was not the only one with this problem because there were almost 150 responses! Many of the responses were similar, such as the "mystery walker" idea you'll read about below, but there were some really unique ones, too. I compiled 15 of the best responses in this blog post.

Here are the top 15 responses in no particular order. If you would like to read ALL of the responses, click this link to see them on Facebook.

1. Jess Bowman:  We go into Ninja Stealth Mode. I explain to the kids that the best ninjas are quiet and never detected. We "sneak" past other classrooms along the way, not disturbing others. They love doing Ninja Stealth Mode. Any kids that get too excited and start making fight moves are reminded that a ninja is disciplined. If we happen to walk past someone in the hallway, I pretend that they can't see us moving because we are so stealthy.
2. Jackie Hutslar: I choose a "mystery walker" each day. The kids don't know who it is until I reveal it at the end of the day. If that person has used good hallway procedure every time we traveled somewhere, he/she gets a treat like a skittle or sticker. If not, they don't get it. Since the students don't know who it is, they ALL have to follow procedures in case it's them!!
3. Laura Grover: Best idea I heard that I actually use is this. I challenged my students to line up perfectly. Straight, eyes forward, no crowding, etc. I used my laptop camera to take a picture. Next, make an 8x10 color print. Mount on construction paper, laminate and attach a ruler for a handle. Now all I do is hold up the picture and say "I'm waiting for this." AND THEY DO IT!! In very little time, too. I have title 1 sixth graders which makes this all the more impressive. They have a visual of exactly what I expect. :-)
4. Jillyn Theresa: Hands on hips, zip up lips, standing tall, ready for the hall! We walk down the hall with a hand on hip and the other finger on lips. I usually call them to line by table, ladies first, by birthday month, by color shirt, etcetera...
5. Kathy McDonald: One student has a weekly job 'tapper.' If a student is wiggling or talking, the tapper taps their shoulder gently and they go to the back of the line. We don't leave the room until the tapper gives a thumbs up. If the same students end up at the back, i speak with them privately about expectations. If all goes well traveling, then the class can earn a marble. I teach 4th grade. They love it!
6. Karen Brown: We line up using the 4S 's - Single file, (looking) Straight Ahead, Silent and Settled. At this time of year I can just hold up 4 fingers.
7. Jamie Doffing: Three of my classroom jobs are line leader, door holder and caboose.  Every one else falls in line between those positions. I don't leave the room until I have a straight line, voices off and heads forward.  
8. Magali Tuke: Mine line up but can be unfocused or chatty. I do an action eg make bunny ears, the whole class need to copy and most quickly do and the few chatters quickly realise it's all quiet and do it too. Fun to mix up the actions - hands on head, arms crossed, silly face, stick tongue out etc. If they are having a particularly bad day though they may have to sit down and try again to ensure all are quiet before we set off.
9. Ana Duran: I play a freeze game. They have to follow me in a line and do whatever I tell them to do, in Spanish. When I say, parem, they all freeze. The kid who is out of the line has to go to the back of the line. They love this game plus it keeps them in line, and learning Spanish.
10. Terra Hailey: I make fun of how sloppy it is and tell them I need to have a talk with their math teacher about their line...then they make me feel like an idiot because it's "actually a line segment..."
11. Cheryl Hamm: We are students not grapes. We walk lines not bunches.
12. Sarah Roach: Practice, practice, practice. We take for granted that kids will remember procedures, but taking time to have them line up, wait for quiet, and then walk. Sometimes we need to go back, but not often!  The kids do want to do well, and they do want to get to the fun class or recess!
13. Barbara Wilkins: I used to use that opportunity to put them in line by various categories. I might put them in line by the first letter of their parent's names, the student's middle names, favorite foods, vacation destinations, etc.
14. Chasity Sherrill: I always use something different every day!! Some example would be what months there birthday is, or line up if their favorite color is red, green, blue, etc. I also use clothing items like if they have on long sleeves, a jacket, jeans or shorts that day!! The kids love it and it helps them with self-awareness skills!
15. Karen Young: Alpha by last name, alpha by first name, month of birth, table number (prime, composite, factors of x number, multiple of y number), rows, columns, how far they got on assignments, uniform colored shirts, if they love me, if they want to go home, LOL!

Do you have a favorite way of lining up your class or a tip to to share? Please post it in a comment below. If you would like to submit a teacher question, be sure to watch for the announcement on Wednesday evenings at 8:30 pm ET on the Teaching Resources Facebook page. Even if you don't have a question, please follow me on Facebook and offer your advice when you see the questions come through!

Great Questions + Advice from Real Teachers = The Question Connection! Enjoy!

The Question Connection: Advice from Real Teachers

Got Teacher Questions? 
Ask and Answer on Facebook!

Read this post to find out about the Question Connection, and then submit your question HERE.

When I first started teaching I was full of questions, and I continued to have questions when I tried new strategies or ran into difficulties. It used to be that we could only seek help from educators we knew personally, but thanks to the Internet, it's easy to ask hundreds or even thousands of teachers for advice!

Facebook is the place to collaborate and now more than ever, teachers are connecting in groups and on pages to help each other. Lately I've been posting Facebook requests for teacher questions and within an hour there will be dozens of questions asked. I repost one or two of the questions each day to all 560,000+ fans, and I'm always amazed at the spirit of collaboration as others jump in to help.

The Question Connection 
To make it easier for teachers to ask and answer questions, I started a regular feature called the Question Connection. To simplify the process, I created a Google Doc form where you can submit a question, and this is also the method to use if you want your question posted anonymously. I'll also post a reminder once a week on Facebook along with one of the Question Connection images on this page. Here's how to participate:

1. Follow Teaching Resources - Visit my Teaching Resources Facebook page and be sure you have liked it. Then hover over the Like button at the top and be sure that the words "Get Notifications" and "See It First" are checked. If you don't take this step, you won't know when I've posted your question! 
2. Ask a Question Now - If you have a question right now, click this Google Doc Form and fill it out. Provide details about your situation and grade level that will help others respond, but don't reveal too much personal information about your school or students. 
3. Ask a Question Later - If you don't have a question right now, pin the image above to one of your Pinterest boards so you can return to this blog post later. Or if you see the Question Connection post on Facebook, you can ask your question in a comment under that post. 
4. Answer a Question - You might not have any teacher questions of your own, but you might enjoy responding to one of the questions posted. If you can help, just use the reply feature and respond directly to the person asking the question. 

I'll regularly review the questions that are submitted, and I'll post the ones that seem most relevant to the followers of the page. Remember that I created the Teaching Resources page to support elementary educators, so I'll select questions that are relevant for that audience. Questions that go out to everyone often receive over 100 terrific responses! Follow me on Facebook and be sure to watch for your question to be shared!

What to Ask
Feel free to ask about anything related to teaching or elementary education, but please don't ask something that you can easily Google yourself. Ask the types of questions you would ask a trusted colleague. Here are a few ideas to get  you started:

• Share an upcoming lesson topic and ask others to recommend great resources and teaching ideas that have worked for them
• Ask for advice about classroom management, parent communication, dealing with difficult situations at school, etc.
• Ask how other teachers are using technology or specific websites

Responding to Questions
Questions are only one half of the Question Connection! We also need educators who are willing to answer questions and share ideas. Don't be shy about responding! When you read a question, think about your own teaching experiences to see if you can make a connection. Even if you're a new teacher, you've learned valuable information that can benefit others. Share successful teaching strategies, links to free resources, book recommendations, helpful advice, or best classroom practices. However, please refrain from self-promotion or providing links to teaching products.

Advice from Real Teachers
I love reading all of the responses to each question, and it concerns me that after a few days all of that great advice is lost in Facebook land, never to be found again. That's why I introduced a blog series called "Advice from Real Teachers." When I see a question that receives a massive number of responses, I'll select the top 10 or 15 comments to share here on Corkboard Connections.

If you ever feel hesitant to ask a question or respond with a suggestion, remember that your collaborative efforts benefit many, many other educators. Your question may spark a great discussion that leads to someone else learning a new strategy or discovering an amazing resource!

Great Questions + Advice from Real Teachers = The Question Connection! Enjoy!

Question Connection

When I first started teaching I was full of questions, and I've been asking questions ever since. My mentors and colleagues at school were always gracious and offered plenty of advice, but my teaching style is a bit unique and sometimes their answers weren't what I needed. Luckily, times have changed, and with the internet, its easy to ask hundreds or even thousands of teachers for help or advice! Better yet, I'll often get responses from teachers all over the world!

Facebook has been a key player in the game of collaboration. Lately teachers have been posting questions on my Facebook Wall, and I've been trying to repost them to all 50,000+ fans and open the Wall for discussion. I'm always amazed at the spirit of collaboration when others jump in to help.

The Question Connection
To make it even easier to ask your questions, I'm starting a regular feature called the Question Connection. You can post your questions at any time, but from time to time I'll sharing the logo above and issue a call for questions on Facebook. Just post your question as a comment on my Facebook post or directly on my Facebook Wall. I'll send your questions out, one at a time, over the next few days to get feedback and ideas. Follow me on Facebook and be sure to watch for your question to be shared!

Feel free to ask about anything related to teaching or the education profession. Here are a few ideas to get  you started:

• Share an upcoming lesson topic and ask for links to great resources and teaching ideas
• Ask for advice about classroom management, parent communication, dealing with difficult situations at school, etc.
• Ask how other teachers are using technology or specific websites

Questions are only one half of the Question Connection! We also need educators who are willing to answer questions and share ideas. Don't be shy about responding! Even if you have only been teaching a few weeks, you have learned valuable information that can benefit others. Share your successful teaching strategies, links to free resources on the internet, book recommendations, helpful advice, or best classroom practices. The only thing I ask is to refrain from self-promotion or providing links to your own teaching products.

If you ever feel hesitant to ask a question or respond with a suggestion, remember that your collaborative efforts benefit many, many other educators. Your question may spark a great discussion that leads to someone else learning a new strategy or discovering an amazing resource!

Great Questions + Advice from the Heart = The Question Connection! Enjoy!