GIMMICKS

//Note: for these gimmicks to be most effective, it is necessary to teach the desired responses and reinforce the first few times until it becomes habit. //

 7. __Ohhhhh! Aaaaaaaaaahhh!*__

a. Remind your kids that everything you say is the most interesting thing they’ve ever heard. Request ‘oooh’s’ and ‘aaaaah’s’s when you make statements or reveal new information. b. select a student in the class to act as the ‘tv audience’ coach, holding up the ‘oooh! sign at the appropriate times.



8. __One-Word Responses*__

 a. Anytime you need to add meaning to a particular word, have a student who responds in a way that makes the meaning clear. For example, in a second language class, whenever you say ‘who’ in the target language, a student pops up and says ‘means who’ in English. b. This also works with sound effects. In my class, we inevitably have a cow in a target language story so we had auditions for moo-ing, and now each time I say ‘cow’ in the target language, the student moo’s. In history class, each time something ‘bad’ is discussed, ‘du-du-duuum’ is exclaimed. (//Props to Ben Slavic)//



__9. Drum roll, please* __

 a. Anytime you are getting ready to say some really important detail, ask the kids for a drum roll…but don’t forget the cross-armed symbol crash! (Cross-brain activity keeps the kids fresh and ready to learn!



10. __It’s a secret!*__

 a. Add melodrama to your subject matter by telling students you have a secret. They respond by stomping their right foot and putting their hands to their left ear, as if trying to hear the secret. Another great cross-brained activity! //(Props to Ben Slavic)//



11. __Props & Noisemakers*__

 a. Picking up a few props at garage sales or asking students for old toys can breathe life into your content. Some ideas to get you started: a flower, a hamburger, a tiara. Improvising with classroom objects in place of props can be hysterical, too (a class favorite is the stapler as a telephone)!  b. Pick up some inexpensive noisemakers at party supply stores. (Clappers, whistles, etc…) Helpful in adding some excitement while students make connections as well as get their attention-practice appropriate times to use them.



//* denotes a strategy that could be applied to almost all content areas. //