Strategies for ...

Controlling noise levels during group work:

• Tell them the answer/work is secret and the other groups can’t know what they are saying
• Tell them that the group that works the quietest gets a prize - have a competition between the tables
• Use a silent debate
• Quiet critters (visual reminders on tables)
• Through your own use of voice
• Loud musical interjection
• Threaten to end group work if the noise gets too high
• Establish a voice ‘level’ before it starts
• Chart of clear noise levels, e.g. ‘indoor voices’
• Voice level app
• Ring a bell and draw the noise levels down
• Set a chart – discuss – what does each noise level look/sound like?
• Check – have they finished their work/do they understand it? Mini plenaries
• Play music – they have to be able to hear it
• Practise the appropriate noise level

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