[klwolf]

I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions about classroom chants.

I teach in China, and many of the Chinese teachers use some standard chant (in Chinese) to get the students attention. When they say the chant, many of the students respond. Then there is this beautiful quiet moment after they've finished saying the chant, making for a great transitional move to a new activity, or to regain order in the class.

I'm looking for a chant like that. Do any brief English ones come to mind?

[chokosaki]

In my class I generally use something quick that generates a response.

It's called 'Class/Yes' from the Whole Brain Teaching style (or Power Teaching). Basically, you say 'class' and the students say 'yes.' It sounds basic but it works wonders. The trick is that the students need to imitate whichever mannerism you use when saying 'class.' If you say it in a high pitch, they should say it in a high pitch. Same goes if you (for instance) say it like a robot.

I too teach children in China (from 3-13 years old typically). I use this with each demographic and they love it.

You can find more about Power teaching here.
Whole Brain Teaching (Power Teaching) Lesson 1 - YouTube

The Chinese teachers say something along the lines of '1, 2, 3' and the students say '4' and put their hands on their knees and sit up straight. This works fine too but I think it's too military-like.

Good luck!

[klwolf]

That's amazing! I'll definitely give that a try after everyone gets back from holiday. I just hope I'm not too late in trying to enforce another rule. This is my first year teaching, and I didn't really start the year off with enough guild lines... eh. So right now I'm working on reining them back in.

Thanks again for the ideas!

[mesmark]

There are some chants here which may give you some other options to bridge into if the chants in general are successful.

Clapping patterns also work well for getting students to come to order.

[chokosaki]

Good luck with your class!

Next time, start off strong. Students will get accustomed to your teaching methods. If you try to add more rules over time...it can be a bit difficult to get the students to conform to them (depending on the age range anyways). The great thing about the 'Class/Yes' or the chants that mesmark linked to...these are pretty fun and interesting so you should have no problem reeling your students in.

[KAJChina]

I teach in China and across our younger classes all the teachers clap their hands 3 times and the student have to copy, chanting A,B,C, then sit with their arms folded. It works wonders for bringing the attention of 50+ students back to you.