Tips for Keeping Noise Down in Your Classroom

All teachers know that classrooms are breeding grounds for loud noises—when one student raises their voice above the din to make their voice heard, you know a never-ending cycle of decibel-increases is coming. We’re here to help with four tips for keeping noise down in your classroom.

Motivation (Or Bribery)

If “bribery” sounds a little extreme, think of this tip as “positive reinforcement.” When you notice your students behaving in a good way (like working quietly), add a marble to a jar. When the jar is full, that could mean any number of exciting things—an extra 15 minutes of recess, more reading time, or anything you can think of.

You can also use this in the other direction—remove a marble when the kids reach jet-taking-off levels of noise.

Assign a Group Leader

Collaboration is critical for kids, but teamwork often comes with volume. Instead of setting up groups and excusing yourself to head to the teachers’ lounge, assign each group a group leader. When giving out instructions, make sure you tell the group leader that one of their most important responsibilities is to keep the noise level of their group to a reasonable level.

Organize Solo Activities

Group work is great, but it can lead to loudness a lot more effectively than solo activities can. Try to plan your days so there are group and solo learning opportunities. You can help remind students that independent work should be quiet by sending them off with a soft, calm voice yourself—monkey see, monkey do.

Get End Caps for Chairs

All teachers know the dreaded sound of chairs grinding and scraping against the floor when it’s time to stand up for lunch. We recommend investing in a few plastic end caps to cover the chairs’ feet. Depending on your chairs, you may need plugs or caps, so check out the design to know which ones you require.

Now that you know these tips for keeping the noise down in your classroom, enjoy the rest of your evening—this time, headache-free!