We all know the feeling of looking out over a talkative class and knowing you need them to get quiet … fast. Having a bunch of attention-getters at your disposal is the fast and fun way to get kids to go from chatty to focused. Establish the general routine—you say something, they respond—early in the year, and you can mix up the call-and-response combinations to keep it fresh all year long. 

Below are 100 of our favorite attention-getters plus tips for using them. Also, be sure to fill out the form on this page to submit your email, and you’ll get a free printable list plus posters of all the attention-getters. That way you’ll have them hanging and ready to reference when the noise level goes up in your classroom. 

Tips for Using Attention-Getters

  • Teach attention-getters like you would any other procedure. Have students turn and talk, then have them practice responding to the attention-getter until they are able to respond immediately.
  • Post your attention-getters in your classroom so students can reference them as they learn the right responses. 
  • Use the attention-getters that work. If students aren’t responding to “1, 2, 3 … everybody freeze” but they love “Waterfall … shhhh,” then use the one that works!
  • Get creative. As you’re reading books and working through the year, challenge students to create their own attention-getters. You can use a character’s catchphrase or a fun fact they’ve learned. When students have ownership over attention-getters, they’re more likely to work consistently. 

100 Attention-Getters for the Classroom

Basic Attention-Getters

Teach these at the start of the year and use them all year long. 

Teacher: 1, 2, 3, eyes on me! / Students: 1, 2, eyes on you!

Teacher: 1, 2, 3, eyes on me! / Students: 1, 2, eyes on you!

Teacher: Ready to listen? / Students: Ready to learn! 

Teacher: Ready to listen? / Students: Ready to learn! - attention-getters

Teacher: Waterfall. / Students: Shhh.

Teacher: Waterfall. / Students: Shhh.- attention-getters

Teacher: All set? (clap clap clap) / Students: You bet! (clap clap clap)

Teacher: All set? (clap clap clap) / Students: You bet! (clap clap clap)- attention-getters

Teacher: Quiet on the set! / Students: Action!

Teacher: Quiet on the set! / Students: Action!

Teacher: Surf’s up! / Students: Shhh. 

Teacher: Surf’s up! / Students: Shhh. - attention-getters

Teacher: Ready to rock? / Students: Ready to roll!

Teacher: Ready to rock? / Students: Ready to roll!- attention-getters

Teacher: Hands on top. / Students: That means stop. 

Teacher: Hands on top. / Students: That means stop. 

Teacher: Ready, set? / Students: You bet!

Teacher: Ready, set? / Students: You bet!- attention-getters

Teacher: When I say peace, you say quiet. Peace … / Students: Quiet.

Teacher: When I say peace, you say quiet. Peace ... / Students: Quiet.

Teacher: All eyes on me! / Students: I’m all ears!

Teacher: All eyes on me! / Students: I'm all ears!- attention-getters

Teacher: Oh me! / Students: Oh my!

Teacher: Oh me! / Students: Oh my!

Teacher: Marco! / Students: Polo!

Teacher: Marco! / Students: Polo!- attention-getters

Teacher: WWW dot … / Students: Zip it dot com!

Teacher: WWW dot ... / Students: Zip it dot com!

Teacher: Eyes up … / Students: Back straight!

Teacher: Eyes up ... / Students: Back straight!- attention-getters

Teacher: L I S … / Students: T E N!

Teacher: L I S ... / Students: T E N!- attention-getters

Teacher: Eyes up! / Students: Voices off!

Teacher: Eyes up! / Students: Voices off!

Teacher: Flat tire … / Students: Shhh!

Teacher: Flat tire ... / Students: Shhh!- attention-getters

Teacher: 1, 2, 3 … / Students: Freeze!

Teacher: 1, 2, 3 ... / Students: Freeze!

Teacher: Fire … / Students: Birds! (or any school mascot with two syllables or more)

Teacher: Fire ... / Students: Birds! (or any school mascot with two syllables or more)- attention-getters

Teacher: Are you focused? / Students: Yes I am!

Teacher: Are you focused? / Students: Yes I am!

Teacher: What’s up? / Students: It’s all good!

Teacher: What’s up? / Students: It’s all good!- attention-getters

Teacher: Crystal … / Students: Clear. 

Teacher: Crystal ... / Students: Clear. 

Teacher: Focus … / Students: Up!

Teacher: Focus ... / Students: Up!- attention-getters

Teacher: If you can hear me, put your hands on your … / Students: (put their hands where the teacher prompts)

Teacher: If you can hear me, put your hands on your … / Students: (put their hands where the teacher prompts)- attention-getters

Teacher: LOUD, LOUD, LOUD! / Students: Soft, soft, soft. 

Teacher: LOUD, LOUD, LOUD! / Students: Soft, soft, soft. 

Pop Culture Attention-Getters

Teacher: Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? / Students: SpongeBob SquarePants!

Teacher: Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? / Students: SpongeBob SquarePants!- attention-getters

Teacher: Scooby dooby doo … / Students: Where are you? 

Teacher: Scooby dooby doo … / Students: Where are you? 

Teacher: To infinity … / Students: And beyond!

Teacher: To infinity ... / Students: And beyond!- attention-getters

Teacher: I can make your hands clap. / Students: (clap seven times)

Teacher: I can make your hands clap. / Students: (clap seven times)- attention-getters

Teacher: Avengers … / Students: Assemble!

Teacher: Avengers … / Students: Assemble!

Teacher: Autobots … / Students: Roll out!

Teacher: Autobots ... / Students: Roll out!

Teacher: May the force … / Students: Be with you!

Teacher: May the force ... / Students: Be with you!- attention-getters

Teacher: Heigh-ho, heigh-ho … / Students: It’s off to work we go!

Teacher: Heigh-ho, heigh-ho ... / Students: It’s off to work we go!- attention-getters

Teacher: All right, stop … / Students: Collaborate and listen!

Teacher: All right, stop ... / Students: Collaborate and listen!

Teacher: Wingardium … / Students: Leviosa! (Harry Potter) 

Teacher: Wingardium ... / Students: Leviosa! (Harry Potter) - attention-getters

Teacher: Zip-a-dee-doo-dah! / Students: Zip-a-dee-ay!

Teacher: Zip-a-dee-doo-dah! / Students: Zip-a-dee-ay!

Teacher: Can I get a … / Students: Whoop whoop!

Teacher: Can I get a … / Students: Whoop whoop!- attention-getters

Teacher: Do you want to build … / Students: A snowman!

Teacher: Do you want to build ... / Students: A snowman!

Teacher: Hakuna … / Students: Matata!

Teacher: Hakuna ... / Students: Matata!- attention-getters

Teacher: Shark bait … / Students: Ooh ha ha. (from Finding Nemo) 

Teacher: Shark bait ... / Students: Ooh ha ha. (from Finding Nemo) 

Teacher: Cowabunga … / Students: Dude!

Teacher: Cowabunga ... / Students: Dude!- attention-getters

Teacher: E.T. / Students: Phone home. 

Teacher: E.T. / Students: Phone home. 

Seasonal Attention-Getters

Teacher: Leaves falling … / Students: Teacher calling.

Teacher: Leaves falling ... / Students: Teacher calling.- attention-getters

Teacher: Hocus-pocus … / Students: Everybody focus!

Teacher: Hocus-pocus ... / Students: Everybody focus!

Teacher: Head, shoulders, knees, and toes … / Students: Show me your scarecrow pose! 

Teacher: Head, shoulders, knees, and toes ... / Students: Show me your scarecrow pose! - attention-getters

Teacher: Tootsie roll, lollipop … / Students: We’ve been talking, but we’ll stop.

Teacher: Tootsie roll, lollipop ... / Students: We’ve been talking, but we’ll stop.

Teacher: 3, 2, 1 … / Students: Mummy mode!

Teacher: 3, 2, 1 ... / Students: Mummy mode!- attention-getters

Teacher: It’s the harvest … / Students: We’ll try our hardest.

Teacher: It’s the harvest ... / Students: We’ll try our hardest.

Teacher: Spooky scary … / Students: Skeletons.

Teacher: Spooky scary ... / Students: Skeletons.- attention-getters

Teacher: Silent night … / Students: We’re all calm, we’re all bright. 

Teacher: Silent night ... / Students: We’re all calm, we’re all bright. 

Teacher: Sleigh bells ring … / Students: Are you listening? 

Teacher: Sleigh bells ring ... / Students: Are you listening? - attention-getters

Food-Themed Attention-Getters

Teacher: Holy moly … / Students: Guacamole!

Teacher: Holy moly ... / Students: Guacamole!

Teacher: Peanut butter and … / Students: Jelly time! 

Teacher: Peanut butter and ... / Students: Jelly time! - attention-getters

Teacher: Hot fudge … / Students: Sundae!

Teacher: Hot fudge ... / Students: Sundae!

Teacher: Red Robin … / Students: Yummm!

Teacher: Red Robin ... / Students: Yummm!- attention-getters

Teacher: Ba-da-ba-ba-ba … / Students: I’m lovin’ it.

Teacher: Ba-da-ba-ba-ba ... / Students: I’m lovin’ it.

Teacher: Banana! / Students: Split! 

Teacher: Banana! / Students: Split! 

Teacher: Piece of pie. / Students: Piece of cake! 

Teacher: Piece of pie. / Students: Piece of cake! - attention-getters

Teacher: Chicken … / Students: Nuggets!

Teacher: Chicken ... / Students: Nuggets!- attention-getters

Teacher: Toe-may-toe, toe-mah-toe … / Students: Poe-tay-toe, poe-tah-toe. 

Teacher: Toe-may-toe, toe-mah-toe ... / Students: Poe-tay-toe, poe-tah-toe. 

Teacher: Okey dokey … / Students: Artichokey.

Teacher: Okey dokey ... / Students: Artichokey.

Nonverbal Attention-Getters

Teacher: Clap clap clap. / Students: Clap clap. 

Teacher: Clap clap clap. / Students: Clap clap. - attention-getters

Teacher: Raises hand. / Students: Raise hand. Wait until all students have hands raised and are looking at you.

Teacher: Raises hand. / Students: Raise hand. Wait until all students have hands raised and are looking at you.- attention-getters

Teacher: Shows hand signal (for example, the “I love you” sign). / Students: Look at teacher and show them the hand signal or a corresponding hand signal (for example, point to teacher, “you”).

Teacher: Shows hand signal (for example, the "I love you" sign). / Students: Look at teacher and show them the hand signal or a corresponding hand signal (for example, point to teacher, “you”).

Teacher: Uses a rain stick. / Students: Wave fingers like rain.

Teacher: Uses a rain stick. / Students: Wave fingers like rain.

Teacher: Plays a tune on a musical instrument like a xylophone. / Students: Are silent.

Teacher: Plays a tune on a musical instrument like a xylophone. / Students: Are silent.- attention-getters

Teacher: Whistles a tune. / Students: Whistle back or are silent.

Teacher: Whistles a tune. / Students: Whistle back or are silent.

Teacher: Makes a superhero pose. / Students: Mimic the pose.

Teacher: Makes a superhero pose. / Students: Mimic the pose.

Teacher: Does a silly walk. / Students: Mimic the silly walk.

Teacher: Does a silly walk. / Students: Mimic the silly walk.

Teacher: Claps three times. / Students: Raise hands and do sign language applause.

Teacher: Claps three times. / Students: Raise hands and do sign language applause.

Teacher: Rubs hands together and raises arms. / Students: Make firework hand motion. 

Teacher: Rubs hands together and raises arms. / Students: Make firework hand motion. 

Inspirational Attention-Getters

Teacher: What are we here for? / Students: To learn! 

Teacher: What are we here for? / Students: To learn! 

Teacher: Work hard! / Students: Do right!

Teacher: Work hard! / Students: Do right!

Teacher: We are learning … / Students: All the time!

Teacher: We are learning ... / Students: All the time!

Teacher: Somewhere … / Students: Over the rainbow!

Teacher: Somewhere ... / Students: Over the rainbow!

Teacher: Every choice you make counts. / Students: Make the choices you can count on!

Teacher: Every choice you make counts. / Students: Make the choices you can count on!

Teacher: Good, better … / Students: Best! 

Teacher: Good, better ... / Students: Best! 

Teacher: If you can’t make a mistake … / Students: You can’t make anything.

Teacher: If you can’t make a mistake ... / Students: You can’t make anything.

Teacher: If we don’t row … / Students: Then we don’t go. 

Teacher: If we don’t row ... / Students: Then we don’t go. 

Attention-Getters for Younger Students

Teacher: Chicka chicka … / Students: Boom boom!

Teacher: Chicka chicka ... / Students: Boom boom!- attention-getters

Teacher: Shave and a haircut … / Students: Six bits! 

Teacher: Shave and a haircut ... / Students: Six bits! 

Teacher: Eeny meeny … / Students: Miny moe!

Teacher: Eeny meeny ... / Students: Miny moe!

Teacher: Macaroni and cheese … / Students: Everybody freeze! 

Teacher: Macaroni and cheese ... / Students: Everybody freeze! - attention-getters

Teacher: Hands on the top … / Students: Everybody stop!

Teacher: Hands on the top ... / Students: Everybody stop!

Teacher: Zip it, lock it … / Students: Put it in your pocket!

Teacher: Zip it, lock it ... / Students: Put it in your pocket!- attention-getters

Teacher: Learning party … / Students: We’re smarties! 

Teacher: Learning party ... / Students: We’re smarties! 

Teacher: 1, 2, 3, where should we be? / Students: 1, 2, on the carpet with you. 

Teacher: 1, 2, 3, where should we be? / Students: 1, 2, on the carpet with you. 

Teacher: Yo-ho, yo-ho … / Students: A pirate’s life for me!

Teacher: Yo-ho, yo-ho ... / Students: A pirate’s life for me!- attention-getters

Teacher: Quick! / Students: Like a bunny! 

Teacher: Quick! / Students: Like a bunny! 

Attention-Getters for Older Students

Teacher: Hear ye, hear ye! / Students: All hail the queen/king!

Teacher: Hear ye, hear ye! / Students: All hail the queen/king!

Teacher: And a hush fell across the room. / Students: Shhhh.

Teacher: And a hush fell across the room. / Students: Shhhh.- attention-getters

Teacher: Mona … / Students: Lisa!

Teacher: Mona ... / Students: Lisa!

Teacher: Who you gonna call? / Students: Ghostbusters! 

Teacher: Who you gonna call? / Students: Ghostbusters! 

Teacher: Who dat? / Students: We dat. (or a regional call and response) 

Teacher: Who dat? / Students: We dat. (or a regional call and response) - attention-getters

Teacher: When the hand goes up … / Students: The mouth goes shut. 

Teacher: When the hand goes up ... / Students: The mouth goes shut. 

Teacher: “Parlez-vous français?” / Students: “Oui, oui, oui!” (or use another language) 

Teacher: “Parlez-vous français?” / Students: “Oui, oui, oui!” (or use another language) 

Teacher: No bees, no honey … / Students: No work, no money.

Teacher: No bees, no honey ... / Students: No work, no money.- attention-getters

Get Your Free Printable List and Posters

Just fill out the form on this page to get your free printable list of attention-getters to keep on hand for when you decide to switch things up. Plus you’ll get access to printable posters for all of the attention-getters on this list.

Check out this teacher’s attention-getter that made us LOL.

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