Call and responses are a powerful tool for teachers in the classroom to help create an engaging learning environment and provide differentiated education. They can be used to increase student participation, decrease transition times, and refocus students whenever necessary.
Using call and responses in my classroom has completely revolutionized how I attract my students’ attention and engage them during lessons. Every year, I rely on a few practical call and response techniques to keep my students focused, and they have proven to be extremely effective.
Using call and responses takes advantage of Universal Learning Design (UDL) principles that foster differentiated instruction for all students. Read on to learn more about what call and responses are, why you should use them in your classroom, and some examples of call and responses!
What Are Call And Responses?
Call and response are one of many Total Participation Techniques (TPT) where a teacher or leader will say something aloud (the call) while everyone else responds with a set phrase that reinforces the message (the response). The call can be anything from a question to an instruction, and the response is usually something related to the call. TPTs are designed to promote active learning for all students regardless of their ability level or learning style.
Call and response is a common technique used in differentiated education to encourage student engagement and participation. With this method, the teacher or educator initiates a question or statement, and the students respond in unison. This can be done in various ways, including verbal responses or physical gestures, such as raising hands or standing up.
By using call and response, educators can create a more interactive learning experience, encouraging students to actively participate and collaborate with one another. Additionally, call and response can aid in memory retention, as the repetitive nature of the technique reinforces the learning material. In short, call and response is an effective teaching tool that helps create a dynamic and engaging classroom environment.
Why Should You Use Call And Responses?
Call and responses are effective tools for teachers because they can help engage all students in the classroom quickly and efficiently. Using this technique allows you to instantly get everyone’s attention without having to pause, stop what you’re doing, and move around the room trying to quiet down your students. It also helps foster positive communication among your students as they work together to answer questions or complete tasks. Plus, it’s fun!
Communication
Positive communication among students is essential for a conducive learning environment. By fostering an atmosphere that celebrates understanding and cooperation, students are better able to thrive academically and socially. When students communicate positively, they are building their self-esteem and promoting a feeling of inclusion.
This kind of communication fosters collaboration, enabling students to not only share their ideas but also listen empathetically to their peers, which can ultimately lead to higher-quality group projects, presentations, and assignments. Besides, it encourages a sense of community within the classroom, fostering friendships and support systems that can last well beyond the school walls.
In summary, the benefits of positive communication among students are far-reaching and can have a significant impact on their academic performance and personal development.
Incorporating call and response into your classroom routine is a strategy that can transform the dynamics of your teaching environment. The technique involves speaking or chanting a phrase, which is then repeated back by students. Call and response can be used to support learning, enhance memory retention and improve student engagement.
Supporting Learning
Call and response is an effective method of communication between teachers and students that supports learning in the classroom. This technique involves the teacher posing a question or statement, and the students responding in unison. This allows for real-time feedback and encourages active participation from all students.
By prompting students to repeat key concepts or ideas, call and response enhances memory retention and helps students internalize important information. The call and response technique also provides a way for teachers to assess student understanding and adjust their teaching accordingly. When used consistently, call and response can create a collaborative learning environment that fosters engagement and retention.
Enhancing Memory Retention
Call and response is a powerful technique to educate students and enhance their memory retention. The methodology builds upon the idea that a student’s ability to recall information. Thus it improves if they experience an active engagement with the educator.
Repetitive prompts and responses, such as between a teacher and student, help to create an environment of familiarity that is foundational for a student’s learning journey. When students are stimulated with engaging questions or prompts, they are prompted to respond. This gives voice to their understanding of the concepts taught.
This process inculcates their brain’s cognitive functions, ultimately improving their retention and recall power. In essence, call and response create an effective and interactive learning process in which they become co-authors of their learning. With the advantages that this methodology brings to student learning, teachers should employ this technique to aid memory retention in the classroom.
Improve Student Engagement
Call and response activities are an incredibly effective way to get your students engaged and participating in class. By presenting a question or statement and prompting your students to respond, you create an environment in which everyone feels involved and part of the conversation.
This method of teaching is particularly helpful for students who may be shy or struggle to engage with the material in traditional ways. Additionally, call and response activities encourage students to actively listen and interact with their peers, building stronger relationships and promoting teamwork.
Overall, implementing call and response techniques in your classroom can significantly improve the level of engagement and participation among your students, leading to a more positive and productive learning experience.
Moreover, this practice provides an opportunity for students to participate in group activities that foster collaboration and cooperation skills. Using call and response also helps to establish a classroom culture that encourages active listening and respectful behavior.
Overall, call and response is an effective tool to create an interactive and engaging classroom that promotes learning and student success.
Examples Of Call And Responses
There are many different types of call and responses. Some of which can be used to assess student learning or provide instructions. Here are a few examples:
Questions and Answers
The teacher calls out a question (e.g., What is the capital of France?) and students respond with the answer (Paris).
Rhythmic Responses
The teacher will say a phrase and students sync up their response to create a rhythm that reinforces the message (e.g., “Let’s all stand up…one, two three, four! Stand Up!).
Instructions
The teacher calls out an instruction such as “Raise your hand if you know the answer”. Students respond by raising their hands.
Here are some more examples of calls and responses to use in the classroom during instruction:
- Teacher: Who’s ready to learn?
- Students: We are!
- Teacher: If you can hear me, clap once.
- Students: (clap once)
- Teacher: If you’re ready for the next activity, say “oh yeah!”
- Students: Oh yeah!
- Teacher: Give me a beat.
- Students: (snap or clap)
- Teacher: If you’re ready for a challenge, say “bring it on!”
- Students: Bring it on!
- Teacher: If you’re ready to begin reading, put your finger on your nose.
- Students: touch their nose
- Teacher: If you’re following along, say “got it!”
- Students: Got it!
Remember to make call and responses fun and engaging for your students. Use them to help manage transitions, maintain classroom routines, and emphasize important concepts.
Attention Getters
The teacher calls out an unusual, and often catchy phrase to students, such as, “Macaroni and Cheese!”. Students respond by shouting, “Everybody Freeze!” as they freeze in place.
These attention-getter phrases are accompanied by a total body movement from students as they stop what they are doing, look at the teacher, and stop talking.
As teachers, we know that getting our students’ attention can sometimes be a challenge. Student engagement has increased in classrooms where call and response attention getters are used. While there are many classic examples, such as “class, class”-“yes, yes”. There are also additional options that can be used to keep things fresh and interesting.
Consider using prompts like:
- Teacher: Hello!
- Students: Hello!
- Teacher: Hey there.
- Students: Hey back.
- Teacher: Scooby-doo.
- Students: Where are you?
These simple phrases can quickly and easily draw students’ attention back to the front of the room. Plus, they can help create a fun and engaging classroom environment.
Here are some more attention-getting call and responses for your classroom! They are in an easy to access Google Slide that you can customize to meet your needs. I use this tracker at the beginning of the year or when we need a refresher. Then I can make sure I have reviewed each one multiple times with all of my classes.
If you found this blog post helpful, be sure to check out my others! I offer tips and information on organization, technology, and STEM integration.
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Call and responses are a great way to engage your elementary classroom quickly and effectively. Call and responses are able to be used to assess student learning, provide instructions, or just add some fun to the classroom.
Incorporating call and responses into your teaching repertoire is an easy way to increase participation, decrease transition times, and refocus students whenever you need it! Try out these techniques today!
To easily teach call and responses to your students each year, check out this simple tracker!
Share in the comments section below some of your favorite call and response techniques that you use with your students.