The Teaching Palette » Noise Control http://theteachingpalette.com Perfecting the Art of Education Wed, 09 May 2012 20:40:40 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 If You Want Someone’s Attention . . . Whisper! http://theteachingpalette.com/2010/09/17/if-you-want-someones-attention-whisper/ http://theteachingpalette.com/2010/09/17/if-you-want-someones-attention-whisper/#comments Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:58:17 +0000 Guest Author http://theteachingpalette.com/?p=3873 The following is a guest post written by LeAnne Poindexter.  She teaches art at Lowes Island Elementary in Sterling, VA.  You can also follow LeAnne on Twitter.

One of the recurring fundamental concerns that I hear from art teachers is noise level control! Just about every teacher I’ve ever talked to has come up with one way or another to let their students know when the noise level is out of control. I’ve heard of using traffic light symbols, wind chimes, using “My Turn/Your Turn” signs and many, many more.  I stumbled upon a magical way of making my students aware of when their noise level was too high!   I have a magic wand that I refer to as “The Whisper Wand”…don’t laugh; it works for me!  The story goes like this: Whisper Wand needs a lot of sleep.  When the noise level gets too high, Whisper Wand “wakes up” (a.k.a. Mrs. Poindexter waves the wand and presses the button) and the students know that they are talking too loud. (I tell the kids that I think they would much prefer for me to do that than yell at them, they always agree!)  The first time Whisper Wand wakes up it serves as a warning.  I tell the students that if it wakes up again, it’s REALLY hard for him to get back to sleep so we have to have silent art for five minutes.  I actually have kids ask me to wake up the Whisper Wand because they are disturbed by the noise level! They LOVE it!

Can’t see video above? Try viewing on YouTube.

]]> http://theteachingpalette.com/2010/09/17/if-you-want-someones-attention-whisper/feed/ 0 “Shhh” Noise Control http://theteachingpalette.com/2010/01/29/shhh-noise-control-2/ http://theteachingpalette.com/2010/01/29/shhh-noise-control-2/#comments Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:56:46 +0000 Theresa McGee http://theteachingpalette.com/?p=2855 I love the buzz and energy of an art room filled with students actively involved in the creative process.  Because of this, I allow my students to talk during art production, as long as they remain on-task and the noise level doesn’t become disruptive.  However, some of my classes have a harder time with this freedom than others.  Enter . . . “Noise Control“. This iPhone app has been very effective during times when I need students to keep noise down and raise concentration. While I can’t promise this will forever solve noise issues, a little extra help never hurts.  Watch the video below to see how it works:

Can’t see video above? Click here.

Here’s a few tips to get started:

  • Download Noise Control from iTunes (if you don’t have a personal iPhone, it’s worth it to find someone who will part with theirs for a few hours)
  • Adjust noise level and sensitivity and plug into external speakers.
  • Project “Shhh” app using a document camera – the extra visual makes a BIG difference by allowing the students “see” their noise level. If you don’t have a document camera, consider this low-cost option.
  • Use positive reinforcement to mold behavior. For example, see how long the class can go without “Shhh” activation – every 10 minutes earns minutes toward an open studio day.
    • ]]>     http://theteachingpalette.com/2010/01/29/shhh-noise-control-2/feed/ 2