CALL BACKS

Call backs are similar to the game “Marco Polo.” The teacher says one thing and the children respond. Call backs work like a charm to focus children’s attention.  Use these to end your school year and then teach them to your new group of students.

Teacher says: Criss cross. 
Children respond: Be your own boss. (Cross arms and sit up straight.) 

Teacher says: All set? (Snap fingers twice.) 
Children respond: You bet! (Snap fingers twice.) 
*If they are not ready they respond “not yet.” Keep saying “All set?” until the entire class is responding “You bet!” 

Teacher says: Hands on top. 
Children respond: Everybody stop! (Put hands on head and freeze.) 

Teacher says: Macaroni and cheese. 
Children respond: Freeze please! (Freeze and look at the teacher.) 
                                      
Teacher says: Ready? 
Children respond: Spaghetti! (Stand up straight.) 

Teacher says: Locket. (Pretend to lock lips.) 
Children respond: Pocket. (Pretend to put the key in their pocket.) 

Teacher says: Hips (Put one hand on your hip.) 
Children respond: And lips. (Put index finger on lips.) 

Teacher says: Standing straight? 
Children respond: Check! 
Teacher says: Hands to self?
Children respond: Check! 
Teacher says: Mouth closed? 
Children respond: Check! 
Teacher says: Ready for the hall? 
Children respond: Check! 

It’s also fun to play the “Marco Polo” game as you wait for children to get ready to go home, clean the room, and so forth. 
              
Teacher: Marco
Children: Polo

Teacher: Okeedookee 
Children: Artichokee 

Teacher: Peanut butter 
Children: Jelly 
                    
Teacher:  Da da da da da...

Children:  I'm loving it!  (MacDonald's advertisement)

*Let the children make up their own call backs.

CHECK MATE

Need some new "tricks" to help your children focus?


Check Mate
Before starting a lesson, post a checklist of what students will need. As you read down the list, students respond, “Check!” if they are all set.

Pencils? – Check!
Paper? – Check!
Crayons? – Check!
Eyes Watching? – Check!
Ears Listening? – Check!
Hands and Feet Quiet? – Check!

Self Control Cue (Becky Gilsdorf)
Use this visual cue to help children who are out of control.
Cross hands over your chest. (Self)
Slide both hands down the sides of your body. (Control)
As the child repeats the movements silently it will calm them down.

Class Callbacks (Sara Quinn)
Try these callbacks to help children focus:
Teacher says: Hands on top. (Students put their hands on their heads.)
Students say: That means stop!
Teacher says: Holy Moly!
Students say: Guacamole!
Teacher says: All set?
Students say: You bet!

*You can go on all day with callbacks. Marco - Polo; Peanut Butter - jelly; Criss cross – sit like a boss, etc.

Finger Friends (Focus those fidgety hands with this rhyme.)
Two little houses closed up so tight. (Make fists)
Open the windows and let in some light. (Open hands)
Ten little finger friends so tall and straight (Fingers up and wiggle)
Hurry to school so they won’t be late. (Bounce hands)

Self Control Lotion
I recall a teacher who kept a bottle of lotion on her desk and called it “self control lotion.” When her students were having trouble paying attention she would give them a squirt of lotion and tell t
Hint! This would be a great idea for sanitizer lotion.