Substitute teacher tips: Attention getters for middle school students.

Managing a middle school classroom takes a special skill set, especially if you’re a substitute teacher. One of the most important tools is the deployment of attention getters for middle school students.

That’s right, you don’t have to raise your voice to wrangle the attention of these pre-teens. These tried-and-tested classroom attention getters will not only make your job easier, but also contribute to a productive learning environment.

In this article, we’ll break down this instructional strategy into three categories: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. We’ll provide you with a few sample attention getters for each category and few that use a combination.

Visual attention getters.

Lights off. 

If you’ve ever been to a play, you know that the lights flash off and on as a signal that the play is about to begin or the intermission is almost over. You can employ a similar strategy. 

Flash the lights off once and then back on, or do it several times. Another option is to shut the lights off one bank at a time. The students should understand that this means you want their attention. This classroom attention getter also works well if the students are working in groups and you simply want to give them a brief reminder or additional instructions. 

Wait time. 

For this attention getter, stand where you can see the entire class. Look at the students as they’re talking, and wait. When they see you looking at them, they’ll start to become silent, because they understand that it’s time for you to speak. Those talking will become fewer, and they’ll quickly realize they need to be quiet. 

Auditory attention getters.

Auditory attention getters for middle school work well because, even if no one is looking at you, you can convey the idea that it’s time to be quiet and pay attention. For many auditory exercises, you can involve the class in creating them. If they feel they have a share in it, they’ll be more likely to respect the strategy when you use it. 

Countdown. 

In a voice loud enough for all (or most) to hear, begin counting down from ten. Students are expected to join. As more do, more will. By the time you reach one, you should have everyone’s attention. 

Call-and-response. 

This can be a fun attention getter for middle school. Choose a phrase with two parts. You say the first part, and the students answer with the second. This is a great exercise to involve the students, as they can choose phrases from popular songs, movies, or memes. Here are a few examples: 

• Teacher: Hakuna! Students: Matata! 

• Teacher: Macaroni and cheese! Students: Everybody freeze! 

• Teacher: Hocus pocus! Students: Everybody focus! 

• Teacher: Mo money! Students: Mo problems! 

• Teacher: Goodness gracious! Students: Great balls of fire! 

• Teacher: To infinity! Students: And beyond! 

• Teacher: Sweet Caroline! Students: Bum bum bum! 

• Teacher: And a hush fell over the crowd! Students: Hushhhhhhh 

You get the idea. The variations are endless! You can even choose call-an-response phrases from the subject being studied. For example, if the class is studying South American geography, you can say “Argentina!” and the students can answer: “Buenos Aires!” (the capital of Argentina). 

Kinesthetic attention getters.

Kinesthetic attention getters are effective because students perform some sort of action, either in imitation of you or in response to something you did. 

Directional. 

A directional attention getter is simply the teacher saying, “If you can hear me, [perform some action]” such as putting their hands on their heads, pretending to swirl a lasso over their heads, touching their noses, stamping their feet, clapping their hands or knocking on their desks three times, covering one of their eyes, etc. 

Clap hands or snap fingers. 

This attention getter may seem self-explanatory, but you can make it fun and interesting for your students. 

• Pick a pattern, clap or snap it, and your students clap or snap it back.  

• Clap the first part of a pattern, then the students clap back the second part. When you use this strategy, only a few students may respond at first. Repeat it until all the students are clapping together.  

• Another option is to pick one of the students to begin the clapping strategy.  

One more thing: If your clap-and-response is a bit complex or has a good rhythm, they’ll have fun remembering and using it. 

Combine them!

These sample classroom attention getters can be used individually, or you can combine two or more. For example, use a specific sound effect as a cue that students should say a certain phrase or clap out a predetermined pattern. Or, do a countdown from ten and have the students join in. After you reach one or zero, they yell out a certain word or phrase. 

Why classroom attention getters are effective.

Remember, you shouldn’t have to yell to get your students’ attention. Instead, well-designed attention getters for middle school are fun and unique ways to let your students know that it’s time to quiet down and pay attention. 

Sometimes, for your teacher attention getters to work, you’ll want to review them with your students ahead of time. Explain exactly what you will do and what, in turn, is expected of them. You can even have them participate in creating them. 

A regular classroom teacher can work on this for days or even weeks. As a substitute teacher, you may not have that time. So, take a few minutes at the beginning of class to briefly review and practice one or two strategies. Keep in mind that middle school attention getters work best when they’re interactive, fun, leverage peer influence, and tap into students’ interests.

Become a substitute teacher with Kelly Education.

Thinking of becoming a substitute teacher for middle school or expanding your substitute teaching into these grades? Check out: 

• Pro tips for teaching in middle school 
• Top lesson plans for substitute teachers in middle school and high school 
• Building rapport quickly with middle school students 

Substitute teaching is a rewarding and fulfilling job. Want to learn more? Fill out our short interest form, and one of our recruiters will contact you to answer your questions. We’ll discuss details about substitute teacher jobs with one of our school district partners in your area. 

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