One of the keys to good cooperative learning is good classroom management. If you feel this is a weak area for you, don't worry. As a part of your cooperative learning explorations, you can learn many management strategies that will help you all day long. The most important strategy of all is a good quiet signal. You must have a quick, easy, effective way of getting your students' attention. It has to be something that you can use over and over all day long. . . something to which you will train your students to respond immediately. Try out a few different ones, and then choose one that you can stick with.

Qualities of a Good Quiet Signal:

1. Students can SEE it from anywhere in the room.
2. Students can HEAR it when they are interacting in teams.
3. It's not overly annoying when used 15 times in one day!
4. Students know how to spread the quiet signal to others.
5. Room should be quiet within 3 to 5 seconds. If it takes longer, it's not working.

1. Teacher holds up one hand and slowly counts to 3. Students look at teacher, hold up one hand, and put finger to lips to signal others. Room must be quiet by the count of 3.
2. Teacher claps 2 times slowly. Students respond by clapping 3 times quickly (which means they have to stop working and put things down that they are holding.)
3. Teacher holds up rain stick and shakes it. Students hold up one hand to signal others. Room must be quiet by the time the stones in the rain stick fall to the bottom.

1. Teacher taps on wind chimes or xylophone. Students raise hand to signal others to get quiet.
2. Teacher winds up music box at the beginning of the week. He/she opens lid and lets it play until room is quiet. By doing this repeatedly throughout the week, the music box winds down. If there is any music left at the end of the week, students earn 15 minutes free time.
3. Teacher holds up giant Mickey Mouse hand. Students raise hand to signal others.
4. Teacher turns lights on and off quickly. Students turn to teacher for instructions.
5. Teacher rings a bell 3 times. Students look at teacher for instructions.

Teaching Kids Your Quiet Signal

Most people don't realize that it's important to actively teach your students your quiet signal. Telling isn't teaching! As soon as you put them in teams, tell them that since you are going to allow them to talk during cooperative activities, you need to be able to get their attention immediately. Explain your quiet signal and tell them that you are going to time them the first few times. Let them know that you expect them to be quiet and ready for instructions within 3 to 5 seconds. Have them put their heads together and talk over something like what their favorite food is. After a few moments, use the quiet signal and start watching the clock from the moment you give it. Wait until the room is absolutely quiet and then record the amount of time it took. If it was more than 5 seconds, tell them that they will have to do better. Give them another discussion topic and try again. Usually they will do much better the next time. Keep working on it until they have mastered it.

Frequently Asked Questions

You might have to get a bit creative to find just the right quiet signal, but it will work for older kids too. Of course you wouldn't expect them to put their fingers to their lips like first graders! I've seen middle school teachers get very silly with their quiet signal (a huge Mickey Mouse hand), and the kids just thought it was cool! I know of one high school chemistry teacher who discovered that glass beakers make a nice ringing sound. He set up a few in different sizes and tapped on them in a special way. Another middle school teacher introduced me to the idea of the using a rain stick and shaking it. Find something that makes a little noise, and make it work for you! You could also explain to your students why you need a signal and let them help you devise one.