Incredibly loud and chatty reception class - help!

[TFM]

I have just started working in a reception class as supply, probably for a few weeks. They can be so chatty and loud that they sometimes don't hear me asking for their attention. I don't want to have to shout above the din all the time so what can I do? When they get like this they don't hear if I clap for them to clap back etc, and it's not just the noise, they seem to get so engrossed in conversation with friends they have zoned out of me and my voice! Any tips for getting their attention back, or not losing it in the first place? It seems to happen most with transitions eg. getting coats, going to the toilet...I haven't taught reception before so not sure what's best to try!

Have you asked the TA if the previous teacher had a song or something that the class are used to? I've seen early years specialists have a song for every occasion, practically. If you get a few to listen by singing quietly, maybe with hand gestures they can join in, like touching their ears, the rest will soon hopefully catch on. Eg "time to listen, time to listen" to the tune of Frere Jacques.

Use a tambourine when you want to get whole class attention, for example in provision, get them to stop and wiggle their fingers.
If they are sitting on the carpet I find saying a child is sitting beautifully and giving out a large shiny sticker gets everyone's attention very quickly!

Have you tried doing the hands in the air method? Explain to the class that if you put your hand up, you would like them to stop what they are doing, and put their hand up in silence too. Once the whole class is quiet give the first three to have copied a marble/merit/sticker/whatever behaviour management equivalent you do in your school.

My class are like this this year. It can still be a bit of a battle now even at the last hurdle, they really are chatterboxes and none of them have a quiet voice!

Agree with above. A musical instrument to get their attention. Bells, tambourine, chime….the rule that worked with my class was that if someone keeps speaking and I have to ring it again, they loose 2 minutes from playtime for every extra ding I have to do until they are all listening.

I also go crazy on big shiny or even smelly stickers for the first child ready to listen. Lots of rewards for children who stop immediately.

In order to reduce me having to talk over the top of them, I would put on our tidy up time song (which for my class is Whistle While You Work) without saying a word. If they are so loud they can’t hear it, chances are they won’t be tidy in time. If the class is completely tidy once the song finishes and they are sat on the carpet in silence (last words can be uttered right as the song stops) a marble goes in the jar, 10 marbles is a treat. Started at 5 marbles is a treat and built up I found this just stopped me from constantly saying “Red class! Red class….ok let’s just wait for Mary and Jane to stop talking, Red class you shouldn’t be this loud” again and again. They’re still bloody loud to be blunt but this method has helped me reign it in a bit. My class is not Red Class for what it’s worth, nor do I have a Mary or Jane.

You have my sympathy. Funnily enough my noisiest few (who literally shout constantly, scream painfully loud when they’re over excited or just in a silly mood which tbh is daily, call out non stop and just talk over me constantly) are also the ones who complain most about head aches and every 5 minutes tell tales if they think someone shouted despite being the ones who always start it.

Kids. What do we do with them 😂😂😂

Quietly wondering if DS is in your class OP

He and his classmates are SO talkative I dont know how the teacher gets anything done