There are a muiltitude of ways that teachers can gain their students attention. These of course depend on a variety of things, including;
- knowing your class,
- the age of the students
- your teaching style.

A strategy to gain younger students attention (years 1-6) is by clapping a rhythm, and the students following the pattern. This works well if you do not want to be continually yelling at your class for their attention. You are also developing the students listening skills, which cannot be a bad thing!

Another strategy that I have found to be successful in the classroom is counting down. This strategy needs to be set up so that students know what you want them to have done by the time you get to 1 or 0.

A useful strategy that can be used with any age group is by using your voice. This does not suit everyone, especially if you have a quiet voice, however, if used appropriately, it can be extremely effective.

Another non verbal strategy to gain students attention is by using hand movements. You as the teacher needs to decide on what kind of hand movements you wish to use, and you need to make sure that the students understand what you are doing when you do them, because if you do not explain it to them, they will not know what to do!

Hands up is another common strategy in the classroom. This is where when the teacher puts their hand up, the students follow, and the expectation is set that if your hand is up, you are not talking.

I hope you find these to be useful strategies to use in the classroom! Good luck!

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