Call and responses are a powerful (and fun!) classroom management strategy to use with your elementary students. It’s best used when you quickly need your students’ attention, such as when you’re about to give directions. The kids chorally respond together as a group when you call out a word or phrase, and then know that’s a signal to stop, look, and listen. There are so many benefits to implementing this technique, and tons of call and response ideas you can start using right away!
Benefits of Using Call and Responses for Positive Classroom Management
The benefits of using call and response go well beyond positive classroom management. It helps seek students’ attention, build a positive classroom community, boost student confidence, and reduce student anxiety.
- Attention
The rhythm and repetition involved in call and response help quickly capture and maintain students’ attention in moments they seem extra chatty or need to transition between activities.
- Classroom Community
By encouraging every student to take part in these back-and-forth chants, even the most shy child has a chance to actively participate and feel included in the classroom community.
- Student Confidence
Students gain confidence in themselves and practice oral communication skills as they actively respond to your prompts throughout the day.
- Anxiety Reduction
Call and response provide students with predictable patterns of interaction throughout the day and can reduce anxiety by being something consistent to rely on.
Many students come to school feeling anxious. For little ones, it’s often from things far out of their control. Call and response is an easy way you can ease these big feelings even in the midst of your busy day!
3 Seasoned Teacher Tips for Using Call and Response in Your Classroom
Students thrive when they know what to expect. Set them up for success by sharing clear directions for your call and response routines.
#1 Freeze!
Teach the kids to know that everyone freezes right after they respond. This means they will immediately stop whatever they were doing– voices off and eyes on you.
#2 Focus on One
It’s usually more effective not to teach multiple chants all at once. Pick one call and response first, and once the kids have that one down, then throw in another if you’d like.
#3 Practice, Practice, Practice
Practice makes perfect, right? Have students practice each new call and response a few times before you start to put it into action.
Call and Response Ideas for All Year Long
With the predictability piece in mind, it’s a good idea to have a few “evergreen” call and responses that can be used all year long.
These are a few commonly used ones (teacher calls out the first part, and students chorally respond with the next part):
- Macaroni and cheese…Everybody freeze!
- To infinity…and beyond!
- Hakuna…Matata!
- Hands on top…Everybody stop! (while putting their hands on their head)
- Waterfall…Shhh (or as a variation, the teacher says: Flat Tire!)
Call and Response Examples for Each Month of the School Year
While it’s great to keep a few of those consistent ones throughout the whole year, adding in new call and responses during holidays and seasons helps keep things fresh!
Whenever it comes to anything classroom management related, a little novelty can go a long way!
**Don’t forget to re-visit the routines, and give students an opportunity to practice when introducing new call and response examples. This helps set your classroom family up for success with it.
Here is an example of a seasonal call and responses for each month of the school year:
August
All set…You bet!
September
Teacher: Leaves are falling
Students: [Teacher’s name] is calling!
October
Teacher: Hocus pocus
Students: Let’s focus!
November
Teacher: Pumpkin pie
Students: Oh my!
December
Teacher: Fa la la la la
Students: La la la la!
January
Teacher: Do you wanna…
Students: Build a snowman?
February
Teacher: Be mine…
Students: Valentine!
March
Teacher: Voices off, ears on
Students: (whisper) Like a quiet leprechaun!
April
Teacher: Hippity hop
Students: Everybody stop!
May
Teacher: May the force
Students: Be with you!
June
Teacher: Flowers bloom
Students: in our classroom!
Want more call and response ideas for seasons and holidays? Here’s a FREE list of 60+ call and response ideas to pick and choose from. You can use them in your elementary classroom all year long!
Call and response is more than just a classroom management technique. It’s a gateway for promoting an engaging and inclusive learning environment, boosting confidence, and fostering a strong classroom community. Introducing a new call and response monthly encourages students to stay engaged and excited about learning. As you call out to your students this year, consider their joyful response a true reflection of the delightful learning that will soon occur!
And now here’s a little call and response for you! Call back after me:
Me: Need a break, I bet?
You: Yes! Is it Friday yet?