How can I get my second graders to be quiet at the end of the day? And WHY are they so loud?

Question

First thing in the morning when my second graders come into the classroom, they're pretty quiet. The put their stuff away, eat their breakfast, then read a book or whisper. When my second graders first come into class in the morning, they are quiet. They eat their breakfast, then take out a book to read.

The end of the day is a totally different story. Kids are out of their seat, they're talking loudly, coming up to me wanting to chat.

I understand they're excited they day is over, but I've had kids miss their bus three times this year because they couldn't hear the annoucements. Help!

Answer 1

you sorta answered yourself.  it is the end of the day and they are restless.  i remember way back when i was in 2nd grade we had music at the end of the day, (nothing i listen to now, hehehe).  maybe you could try that, or try reading them a book towards the end of the day, that way announcements could be heard better.  basically it comes down to the types of kids you are teaching, you have to tailor something towards their needs.  hope i helped somewhat.

Answer 2

try and play a game, that will make them be quiet. and maybe get a candy jar for them and give a piece when they win, kids love candy, trust me they will be quiet for candy.

Answer 3

They are loud because they are 7 and 8 year olds.  That's their nature.  Mornings in my house are quiet too, with my 8 year old.  She is still waking up and winding up.  Give them time during the day to be loud and get it out of their systems.  Play a loud game.  Sing a loud song.  Let them understand that it is okay to be loud during this time. THEN play the "quiet game".  Everyone must be silent.  If you talk, you are out of the game.  Kids at this age are very competitive so they will get a big kick out of being quiet.  Then use this time to make your announcements.

Answer 4

Turn the last our of the day into "quiet reading time". You play classical music, sit on the carpet and each either read a book or you read to them.  Focusing on something will distract them from the excitement and the music will sooth or calm them. This will become a routine and make your job so much easier.

Answer 5

I am a sub and the end of my day routine is as follows:  First students must pack up and clean up.  If this is done quietly then they are allowed to play "heads up 7 up".  The kids love playing that and it is a quiet game that can be ended at any time.  What's better is that there is no winner so everyone ends on a happy note.  In addition, it sounds to me that maybe is you could push up the time your class packed up by 5 minutes.  It sounds like everyone is packing up at the same time as the announcements come on.  One more thing I would try is during "pack-up" time I would walk around with skittles.  I would give one to each child I saw who was staying quiet.  Its not much candy but I can promise you that it will work!  Good luck and remember, the school year is almost over!

Answer 6

I don't know why, but this always worked when I was in highschool.

The teacher would say, 'I want everyone quiet by the time i could to three'.

She would never get to 3. I don't know why.

Answer 7

Near the end of the day the children become restless and they are not as attentive so they will talk and muck around. Maybe you could let them watch a movie, read a book or anything as long as it isn't too hard or boring

Answer 8

Your school has probably done away with recess huh? they are excited to be going home, and getting physical activity. preschoolers are like that too. make sure you try to give them physical activities to do to help them work out the energy. maybe a class yoga instruction, relaxing music, lights off, (i hate flourescents) breathing excersices will help minimize it. even if all you can do is turn the lights off you will find a huge difference. Give them pickles too. it will give them the senory they need.

Answer 9

read a book and ask them questions about it. the winner gets a prize.

or for them all to sit down and be quiet. whoever is quiet for the longets wins a prize. its like a silent game

Answer 10

Becuase they are kids, and as a teacher you have to jam so much information at them, to match up to the SOL's that they have to take next year, they are on overload.  They still want to be kids and play and have fun, not be little robots.

I know it isn't your fault it is the circullum, but as a mom of a second grader, they are under way too much stress.  Try making an afternoon activity of some classroom excersize or something that will get them up and moving....

Good luck

Answer 11

Set a clean-up time and tell them they need to be in their seats and quiet when listening to the announcements. Make sure you set this time accordingly to the announcement time.

Answer 12

Get the cafeteria to stop serving sugar, caffeine, chocolate and refined carbohydrates that turn into suger.

Take 10 minutes each day and make them mediate or do yoga.