Whew, I can’t believe I haven’t blogged since school started back. I have several blog posts and ideas that I can’t wait to share with you in the coming months. For today, I wanted to share a simple strategy that I have been using successfully for four years to control excessive talking.
- The students are allowed to talk about the work or directions, BUT one of the students talking must have his or her thumb up. It is that simple!!!
Here is why I think this works:
- Students know they have some freedom to talk about the work, however they have to do a little work to be able to do it (putting their thumbs up). This curbs off task talking. They do not want to waste their energy with their thumb up to talk about something off topic.
- It is super easy to remind the students of this procedure. When I hear talking with no thumbs up, I simply say, “I hear talking, but I don’t see any thumbs up.” This is a quick and easy reminder that is not nagging or annoying to the students.
I use this strategy during the morning, during independent work, and during dismissal. I DO NOT use this during turn and talk times or group work because talking is expected. I also do not implement this during times when talking is not acceptable (taking a test, lining up, etc).
Trust me, it works like a charm! If you want to try it out, you can download some posters to hang in your room, by clicking on the images below!
If you try it, I would love to know how it works for you! Also, let me know your simple strategies for curbing those talkers and controlling excessive talking in the classroom by commenting below. I would love to hear your ideas!
Wow, I absolutely love this idea!!!! I will definitely start using this next week when we start school. I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I'm starting this today. I really like the idea and think it will work well. Thanks
Great strategy. Love it's simplicity.
I am printing this out and trying this next week!! I have a group that's quite chatty this year!
Rachel
A Tall Drink of Water
I love this so much! I hate when I scold a kid or tell them to "move a clip" when they were really just telling their neighbor what page to turn to, or asking where to turn something in…. I do wonder if this could get out of hand in 2nd grade when they will just put up their thumbs all the time to talk unnecessarily.
Ha! I was thinking the same thing! Are they really talking about the assignment or something else just to talk?
I LOVE this idea! Thank you for sharing!
I use thumbs in the classroom as well. When asking a yes or no question or if they understand. If they blurt out instead of a thumbs up, down, or sideways…I give the friendly reminder of…show me, don't tell me. Works like a charm.
I teach kinder, but I think this just might work! Thanks for sharing!!!
Love this! Thanks for sharing!
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
-Kat
Jennifer
I tried it and it is awesome! Sometimes it's kind of funny to see the kids sitting there with their thumbs in the air, but it sure keeps them on task! Thanks for sharing!
You have such a nice blog. I’m a beginner teacher and I failed on mu first class. I hope It will went well when I applied all these
I teach 3rd grade. What do you do when they talk without putting a thumb up?