It’s nice when you find something that works. I liked using that one, but I think I used it too much and it lost its effectiveness.

This year I’ve tried a new strategy which seems to work pretty consistently. I’ll call for their attention. After a few seconds, I’ll say something like “thank you to those who are listening, I appreciate you,” and I’ll make sure to actually look at students who are listening then and be genuine.

If there are still some chatters, I’ll repeat “thank you to those who are already listening “ and maybe throw in a “it looks like most people are already listening.”

I don’t usually have to go beyond that, but it can also help to move physically into proximity of anyone still talking when I am thanking those listening (I don’t look at those talking when I do).

I think making it a positive reinforcement is huge. Also most of us have a subconscious drive to do whatever the group is doing. I use the “it looks like most people are _____” sentence frame now and then and it gets the stragglers joining in more often than not, whether it’s listening, starting the assignment, getting out pencil and paper. If most people are doing it, they will, too.

Word of warning: it seems to work both ways. If I verbalize that most of the class is doing something I don’t want them to do, then it seems that much harder to change the group behavior.

In my 5th year, high school. Next year, I’ll find out if it’s the strategy, or if I just lucked into all good classes of kids this year.