How To Calm Down A Noisy Class In Seconds

[@Thomas63r2]

As much as kids often may seem like they prefer chaos, I have found that they actually like a predictable classroom. It has to be done right up front when you meet the class at the beginning of the school year. Set classroom expectations and routines. I’m a middle school math teacher in my 60’s. Not only do I let my students what each of our student/teacher responsibilities are, but I also give them an unexpected lesson on the human brain and what they are growing through. I talk briefly about the brain stem and the frontal lobe, conscious and subconscious thoughts. I never directly discuss a student’s poor behavior during class time. I do hold students after class so they can tell me if they were using their frontal lobe or not. If not then I have them develop a self improvement plan. I put them in charge of their own development.

[@thebusyeducator]

@Thomas63r2 Very true and very well said. Thank you for your reply.

[@chorizo-6881]

My teacher probably saw this because he does this in class

[@aliamirdivan8333]

Is that you AA Ron ?

[@thartwig26]

You’ve trained them. I had a special needs class of 17 to do the same thing. They were good at it. The challenge is getting a class of 30+ VBS students to be quiet.

[@thebusyeducator]

Hi Twiggy--Yes, that would be quite the challenge! All the best to you.

[@mariafatimamey1413]

For me, the very first step to calm down this type of class is to know students' social background since each of them has to be raised in different environment and culture, then finding out why they like or dislike subject that i teach, their struggle or biggest dificulty with this subject and finally apply this rule. The "raising hand" method that you suggests is good but somehow it has "holes" in it, for example, some students reject to be cooperative and long teaching duration which will likely to absorb students' energy , making them bored and start doing something else in the classroom.

[@thebusyeducator]

Thank you Maria for your detailed reply. Yes, it is very important to know the students' social background. By knowing your students you are more able to teach to their interests. With team building exercises, routines such as raising your hand and engaging curriculum, you will be on the way to having your best class ever. All the best. Be healthy. Be safe. Marjan

[@sceneitallwithjeffandjon6984]

Have you done this yourself?

[@stephanieb5019]

I’ve done this and it works regardless of background. I just explain why it works the first time I go through routines and have students test it out and it’s worked every time.

[@sumkhan8527]

Depends on how sensible n cooperative students are otherwise these strategies will not work.

[@thebusyeducator]

These strategies have worked on the most difficult students I have taught. They need to be introduced effectively and reinforced to be effective.

[@The-id7ri]

This has been said before and it doesn't work with some students. A counselor said this once but when this did not work she had to ask for help. They were trading the. clarion apart

[@thebusyeducator]

Consistency breaks down inappropriate behaviour. Consistency is the key. Show me a great teacher and I'll show you that they are consistent in their procedures. Inconsistency sends confusing messages to students which result in inappropriate behaviours.

[@HaiderAli-yj5or]

@@thebusyeducator they even dont follow this instructions. they will not raise their hands or any thing

[@annatan3769]

Thanks for the encouragement. Rehearse the call/response technique! Hands up and countdown are the main ones that work for high school, it seems...

[@thebusyeducator]

That's great to know Anna. Glad the video helped. All the best for the new school year.

[@gotaigo]

That’s because you’ve trained them over a long period of time and established rapport with them but it won’t work for a guest teacher like a substitute.

[@mariafatimamey1413]

exactly! i had tried this and guess what, the students mimiced this gesture and made fun of this. ugh, that was embarassing but this man also suggests a very good idea, keep rehearsing this activity so the students will get used to it

[@SpiritWolfeMoon]

Thank you, this will help me very well with my future classmates.

[@thebusyeducator]

All the best in your teaching.

[@diyadas2235]

why do Principal always enter the class when it is noisy

[@eaty0tts809]

Maybe it’s not the principal, maybe it’s the class which is always noisy

[@stephanieb5019]

This was very soothing to watch. I already use this with my upper elementary students but was afraid to use it with the younger kids. I’ll try to incorporate it before it’s too late in the game.

[@thebusyeducator]

Thank you for your reply Stephanie. It's so funny, I had no qualms about using it with my younger students--it was my older students that I didn't think it would work. But it did! Have a great new school year.

[@ting8251]

Hi thanks for sharing, great tips! I am currently using something similar, students would be quiet for that moment, but not long they’ll start to be noisy again, most of the time because they are excited. What to do with those repetitive behaviours? Thanks very much!

[@thebusyeducator]

Hello Ting, When those repetitive behaviours start up, stop what you are doing and address the inappropriate behaviours with the behaviours you want. You want to nip this in the bud early before it overwhelms you. Do this as many times as necessary to get the class that you want. Hope this helps.

[@veronicap.358]

Thank you sir! I am going to try it on Monday but first I will let them know the procedure! Your the best!

[@thebusyeducator]

Great to hear that Veronica. Let us know how it went.

[@mariaclayton9892]

Yep. It works if you start it on the first day. Mine is HEADS UP! hands and eyes. over here over there and tracking. works everywhere we go and field trips too!

[@thebusyeducator]

You're absolutely right Maria--it works if you start it on the first day. Have a great new school year.

[@Carolmaizy]

I also used to write a message on the whiteboard, for example: If you are reading this, please put your hands on your head and face me. Thanks! Within a few seconds every child caught on.

[@thebusyeducator]

What a great idea Carol. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@rudzanirabumbulu6874]

Thanks

[@thebusyeducator]

Thank you for your comment Rudzani.

[@thegamegod5566]

Lol my principal tried that and he legit stayed there for 8 minuets lol 😂😂😂

[@thebusyeducator]

That's so funny! Usually it takes only a couple of seconds for the kids to respond in an assembly. He may have to do some more prep work with the kids. Hope all is well considering.

[@shaistaaaa]

Thank you. I will use this strategy in my class after winter break.

[@thebusyeducator]

Let me know how it worked for you. Have a happy New Year.

[@darthobiguan817]

@@thebusyeducator can you please have a tip for Monitor and Vice to keep the class quiet.

[@subinsl5139]

I will try it. Thanks for your information. But what to do on a strange crowd🤔🤔

[@thebusyeducator]

Let me know how it works for you Subin.

[@EnglishwithAlan]

I've already been teaching for a few weeks and I feel like it's too late to implement this. I would like to, but why would they listen now that the wrong tone has been set?

[@thebusyeducator]

Hello Alan--You can always do a reset. I would time a reset after the weekend or the beginning of the month. I would explain to the students why this procedure needs to be implemented. Once you've had the discussion with the students, I would practice and practice this procedure until it becomes a routine. Please let me know how you make out. All the best.

[@LearnEnglish-ProfBah]

that may work with educated students, 'I mean students who got a good family to teach them morals', but I guess it will not work with some students who are brought up in a house where they learnt to calm down when they are pinished physically only.

[@thebusyeducator]

I disagree. I have taught in the most economically disadvantaged schools in my city, and this technique works. You need to follow the instructions and keep teaching the students the procedure until they know it. All the best to you.

[@yarasabry2755]

Thank you, that was really helpful.

[@thebusyeducator]

I'm glad you found it useful Yara. Thank you for your feedback.

[@LifeUnfiltered2293]

I will try this technique

[@thebusyeducator]

Let me know how it worked for you.

[@HaneenIAdam]

This is amazing! I will use it this year.

[@thebusyeducator]

Let me know how it goes. All the best with the new school year.

[@smendes2004]

I've learned this in the CELTA course. It does work, but I find it a bit embarrassing.

[@thebusyeducator]

As long as it works LOL!

[@dohajouaher3906]

i'll try it i wish it will work in my class i'm really tired of yelling

[@thebusyeducator]

Good luck to you. Let me know how it goes.

[@carlajohnson5601]

Yelling really doesn't work. It puts the students on the defensive and they want to yell back! You need to find a technique that calms the students down!

[@anushakambampati936]

Me too... It's not even been 10days.. My voice changed because of yelling...

[@dralbertpakin8895]

How do you keep them quiet for longer though than one minute

[@thebusyeducator]

Hello Dr. Pakin--There are a number of techniques you can use: You need to train them a number of times with this procedure in order for it to be effective. Depending on the group of students, teach them the procedure and then reinforce the procedure a number of times during the day and week until they have it automatically. Another short term technique I've used when the class needed to be quiet is to tell them: "you're not in trouble. I just need you to put your heads down on your desk and relax for a bit." Sometimes I'll also turn off the lights. Let me know if this worked. Good luck.

[@l.awaller1852]

I'd like to see anyone do this in a grade 11 Vietnamese class.

[@thebusyeducator]

Yes, that would be interesting to find out.

[@idreeshassan8907]

What to do with over crowded class having 40 naughty boys. How to calm them down please let me know.

[@thebusyeducator]

Hello Idrees. Thank you for your question. I once had 38 students in a class, but never 40. To calm them down I would repeat the procedure over and over till they understand it.

[@HaiderAli-yj5or]

@@thebusyeducator i have a class of 51 students while about 40 are naughty and noisy. They dont follow any of teacher instructions.

[@thebusyeducator]

You should go to your administrator, head teacher for strategies to deal with this group. You need to find out the reasons why they aren't following any teacher instructions.

[@HaiderAli-yj5or]

@@thebusyeducator thank u for your suggestion 👍

[@roelinamackintosh5376]

Perhaps you should throw a soft ball at them, the kids that won’t quite down. Or tell them about the time you went on your first date

[@irademirzeliyeva9760]

Thank you so much! I think I'll work for this year 🙏👍🏼

[@thebusyeducator]

Thank you very much Irade for your reply. Wishing you all the best this year!

[@minhdung5079]

I'm a monitor. Can i use this method to calm down my class

[@thebusyeducator]

Yes, absolutely. You will need to train them a number of times with the procedure in order for it to be effective. Depending on the group of students, teach them the procedure and then reinforce the procedure a number of times during the day and week until they have it automatically. Good luck!

[@minhdung5079]

@@thebusyeducator Thanks so much!

[@Ethan-uy9ll]

I'm not teaching, but because of covid a teacher in my aunt's school is in quarantine and I have to be in her classes to make sure they behave properly while the teacher teaches from each individual student's iPads. Today was the first day and I haven't properly introduced myself in every class because my role is often very unsure. I'm untrained, I'm basically in another teachers class so I'm not the main authority figure and I have never done anything like this before. It's also tough because its a foreign international school. Everybody is supposed to speak English but that would only happen if you reprimand them every five seconds because English is not their first language. And me being me not having established myself as the person to listen to (because I dont know how to) have no idea how to rectify my "position" in the classroom. I'm only there for a week so I'm struggling to find what the right balance would be and how I should behave. If you have any tips I would appreciate them.

[@thebusyeducator]

Hello Ethan. Thank you for your question. I hear you. I've been in your situation many times. The best thing to do is to take the teacher's lead. The last thing you want to do is to upstage a teacher. Keep doing what you're doing, it is the best strategy. Let me know how things work out for you.

[@chorizo-6881]

Who else is not a teacher and just watching

[@bostsmach5824]

Mr

[@bostsmach5824]

Me

[@Yett.Clips_]

I’m a student council I searched up a vid on how to calm a noisy class and this is what showed (btw thanks for advice)

[@thebusyeducator]

Thanks.

[@byeetch]

Your usernamr is JK Vlogs And Gaming. I doubt your profession that you claim is real.

[@tpsu129]

Doesn’t work but I’ll try it again.

[@thebusyeducator]

The key is practice practice practice. Pick a good time when you feel students are most attentive and interested. Then practice the procedure. Good luck. Let me know how it goes!

[@TravelwithMarinaandKapil]

Well, that would not work with the Thai students.

[@thebusyeducator]

Why not???

[@TravelwithMarinaandKapil]

@@thebusyeducator .... I am already a teacher here in Thailand. I know nothing works on them

[@thebusyeducator]

Sorry to hear that. You may want to use this technique early in the new school year.

[@TravelwithMarinaandKapil]

@@thebusyeducator ..... definitely I will try doing it. Thank you

[@jonathanhumphries2643]

kool asitgets I used ‘silent teacher’ today on a class of Year 10 Thai students and it worked a treat. I told them to watch the maths problem that I wrote on the board, see how I solved it and then get ready to help me when I became stuck. They had to keep quiet while I wrote on the whiteboard and I didn’t speak while I was writing as I would be talking to the board! I told them that once I had finished I wanted their suggestions about what was good about my work and any ideas about how I could move forward with the problem. I listed their suggestions and ideas on the board to discuss. They loved it and they kept quiet, with just the occasional glance at them necessary if they forgot to be quiet.

[@xxa455xx]

Ears open eyeballs click

[@thebusyeducator]

Thanks

[@Yett.Clips_]

Sorry but this is not a teacher I’m a student council so I need advice to calm down the class

[@thebusyeducator]

Who are you trying to calm down. A class or a student council meeting?

[@abulahab6528]

Hmmm… I for one will not appear to the students as requesting the students’ attention by raising my hand. The message is I am awaiting a turn to speak. D I S A P P O I N T I N G.

[@thebusyeducator]

One valuable lesson I learned over my many years teaching is this: If you are not flexible, you WILL be bent out of shape.

[@abulahab6528]

@@thebusyeducator Yeah, “many years”… I’ve been elementary ed for 35 years in the int’l schools, just returned a month ago to regular school. Kids here have… different goals let’s say, from what I’ve been around.

[@AlejandraGarcia-tx9eg]

Mhmm. You teachers are so funny.

[@thebusyeducator]

LOL! Thanks! My students often said I was funny!🤣

[@diyadas2235]

why do Principal always enter the class when it is noisy

[@thebusyeducator]

It's not just me LOL! I think principals have a sixth sense for these kinds of things!