In your classroom, do you utilize call and response? You’ll get here the Best teacher call and response for students with details. Sports events, concerts, and even the military have all been used to get students’ attention in the past decade. But nothing beats hearing the students respond to a phrase called out by a teacher in front of the classroom.
What are the call and responses?
A call and response is an interaction between a Teacher (the “caller”) and students (the “responders”) in which the speaker makes a statement or asks a question, and the audience responds in some way. This can be a verbal response, such as by repeating a phrase or answering a question, or a nonverbal response, such as clapping or raising their hand.
Call and response is a common communication pattern in many cultures and can be found in a variety of settings, including classrooms, religious services, and music performances. Do you know how to call teachers by their first name? Don’t worry you’ll get here.
It can be an effective way to engage and involve an audience and can be used to teach new information, reinforce important ideas, and create a sense of community.
What is a teacher call and response?
A call-and-response is a classroom activity in which a teacher calls out one phrase, and the students must respond with another phrase.
Verbal cries are common, but hand motions or whole-body movements (such as leaping, clapping, or walking from one point to another) may also be used.
You’ll need to find a way to get your students’ attention quickly and effectively because classrooms may be busy and noisy spaces, especially when the kids are involved in learning activities.
Using a call-and-response technique for instructors in situations like this may be particularly beneficial. You may use them to prepare students for learning, remember information, or construct lifelong memory.
How does it work?
This approach appears to be quite simple, but it may be repurposed for a range of learning objectives in the classroom.
Call and response in teaching, like all behavior management and learning strategies, relies on you as a classroom teacher to establish precise standards for how your pupils should react. Your pupils must be ready and given enough time to comprehend what is required of them for the approach to be effective with the majority or all of them.
Top 15 different types of calls and responses for teachers and students
It’s helpful to understand a little about call and response history before using it with instructors. When democratic participation is an important part of public gatherings, religious rituals, and musical expression in Sub-Saharan African cultures, call and response come from the origins. It originates from traditional African music, and it’s mostly used as a vocal dialogue between singers.
| Teachers call | Students response |
|---|---|
| If you can hear my voice, clap once. | Clap. |
| Where are you? | I'm here sir |
| One, two, three, eyes on me. | One, two, eyes on you! |
| One, Two… | Eyes on you… Talk no more! |
| It’s time to hear the penny drop. | Drop, stop |
| Stop right now. | Thank you sir |
| Fish are friends. | Not food |
| All aboard! | Aye, aye, Captain. |
| If you can’t make a mistake... | You can’t make anything. |
| Everything is possible. | Even the impossible. |
| To infinity... | beyond! |
| Hello everyone | Yes, we are here |
| Who loves you? | You do. |
| Hands in the air. | Like you just don't care. |
| Ready or not... | Here, we come. |
Benefits of a good teacher call and response system
- Call and response can be very helpful in classrooms because it quickly gets students’ attention.
- It’s also an effective way to remember information, especially if the students are prompted to repeat back what they’ve learned.
- When used properly, call and response can help your pupils build lifelong memory skills by strengthening their ability to recall information from a variety of sources and contexts.
Tips for creating an effective teacher call and response system
Here are some tips for creating an effective teacher call-and-response system:
- Make sure the call and response are clear and concise. Use simple language and avoid using jargon or technical terms that students may not understand.
- Practice the call and response with your students before using it in class. This will help them become familiar with the system and respond more quickly.
- Encourage students to participate by making the call and response fun and interactive.
- Use positive reinforcement to encourage students to participate and respond correctly.
- Gradually increase the complexity of the call and response as students become more comfortable with the system.
- Use the call and response as a way to review and reinforce important concepts and ideas.
- Be patient and give students time to respond. It may take some time for them to become comfortable with the system.
- Consider using visual or hand gestures to accompany the call and response, which can help students who may have difficulty hearing or processing spoken language.
- Be flexible and adapt the call and response to meet the needs of your students.
It’s an easy way for students to learn from teachers
Owner: Hi there, can I help you find something?
Pupil 1: Yes, this is the library. Can you tell me where the children’s section is?
Owner: Sure! First, we say “call and response” together. You answer “yes” or “no.” If I give you an instruction like “[stand up] sit down,” then you should respond by saying either “[sit up] stand up” or “[lie down] lie down.” Do you understand?
Pupil 1:Yes.
How to make a call and response work in your classroom
A teacher will commonly utilize call and response in the classroom as a signal for students to quit what they’re doing and pay attention. Verbal instruction is common, but you may also incorporate physical or hand motions. How educational psychology helps teachers in classrooms? There is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Students are trained to stop what they’re doing and respond with “1, 2, eyes on you” if a teacher says “1, 2, 3, eyes on me.” Not only does it capture their attention but it refocuses them on the process of responding.
From everyday life, call and response
- Call: Flat tire!
- Response:
- Call: Macaroni and cheese
- Response: Everybody freeze.
- Call: Hocus pocus!
- Response: Everybody focus!
- Call: Banana split
- Response: I know how to sit!
How to set up call and response activities
To set up call and response activities in your classroom, first identify the specific tasks or instructions that you want students to complete. Then provide them with a signal or cue to prompt them into calling out those instructions. You can use verbal prompts like “call and response” or hand signals like waving your hands in the air.
To set up a call and response activity in your classroom:
- Decide on the purpose of the activity. Will it be used to teach new information, review material, or build a sense of community?
- Choose a call-and-response format that is appropriate for the activity and the age and ability level of your students. For example, you might use a simple repetition of a phrase for younger students or a more complex question-and-answer format for older students.
- Prepare the call and response. Write out the words or phrases you will use as the call, and plan the response that you want students to give.
- Practice the call and response with your students before using it in class. This will help them become familiar with the system and respond more quickly.
- Speak clearly and use an appropriate pace throughout the activity to lead the call and response. Encourage all kids to take part and offer positive reinforcement for the right responses.
- Use the call and response as an ongoing part of your lessons to review and reinforce important concepts and ideas.
- Meet the demands of your students by being flexible and adapting the call and response. If the activity isn’t engaging your pupils as intended, try changing the format or material to attract their attention.
Read to know also: Why did the teacher wear sunglasses in the classroom?
Last Word
With a little practice and flexibility, you can use call and response to help your students learn new information, review old material, build community, or just have fun!
