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Attention signals poster (free printable)

Two columns, one for what the teacher says or does and one for what the class does back, with an arrow between. Write the five signals your class uses and post them by the board.

Printed on the sheet. Leave it empty to write by hand.
Teacher says or does | Class does
Colour
Attention Signals, page 1Attention SignalsWhen I say or doYou doHand raised highHands up andvoices offChime rings onceStop and look atmeLights off fortwo secondsFreeze and facethe frontClass, classYes, classCountdown fromfiveBe quiet andready by one

To save a PDF, choose Print, then “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints.

About this sheet

An attention signal is a small agreement: when I do this, you do that. The signal works because it is quick, it is the same every time and it asks for a physical response, such as a clap, a freeze or a hand raised. Teaching three or four and using them consistently beats collecting fifteen. This poster lays the signals out as pairs, so a student who has forgotten one can look and find it at a glance. The two column headings are editable. Use the poster as a reminder for yourself on the first day, and a prompt for a new student or a substitute who needs to know how your room works.

Grades: Pre-K to 5. Best in: August, September.

How to use it

  1. Write your signals in the box, one per line: what you say or do, a bar, then what the class does.
  2. Print and post the poster beside the board. If you change a signal, edit and reprint, so the poster is never out of date.
  3. Teach one signal a day in the first week, practicing until it takes under five seconds, and use only the taught signals after that.

Five ideas for class

  1. Choose signals that do not need your voice. A raised hand or a chime saves your voice and works in a loud room.
  2. Practice a signal during a calm moment, then reward a fast response with a countdown: three, two, one, and a silent room is a win.
  3. Teach students to pass the signal on. When they see your hand go up, they raise theirs, and the silence spreads from the front.
  4. Give each signal a purpose so students know what it means: one for attention, one for line up, one for freeze, one for clean up.
  5. Ask the class for a signal of their own and add it to the poster. A student-chosen signal is usually followed best.

Related

Questions

How many signals should I teach?

Three or four. More than that and students confuse them. Choose one for attention, one for transitions and one for stopping everything.

What if the signal stops working?

Go back to teaching it. Practice for two minutes, praise the fast response, and use it only when you need it, so it keeps its meaning.

Do the signals need to be those on the poster?

No. The poster only holds the signals you type. Replace any of the defaults with what your class already uses.

How do I save it as a PDF?

Choose Print, then pick “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints: the page around it is hidden. You can also save a sheet as a PNG image under the preview.

Can I print it in black and white?

Yes. Switch to Black and white beside the sheet: fills turn white and lines turn black, so it saves ink and photocopies cleanly.

Is what I type saved or sent anywhere?

Your edits are kept in this browser so they are there next time, and are never sent to us. No sign-in, no ads.

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