Student Contributor: B. Montano
Voice Level is a technique that helps students to visually see where the noise level should be. At any given time of the day, students should be able to know where the noise level should be- silent, whisper, table talk, or presenter.
This tool is easy to use and does not require many materials to use. You will need to have 4 push lights that can be found at Home Depot. You will want to put labels next to the lights such as, silent, whisper, table talk, or presenter. To make this tool most successful you will want to place the lights in the classroom where it is easily seen by everyone. I placed the lights on the whiteboard where they are constantly looking at. When it is reading time or a time where the class should be quiet, then you would turn on the silent light. When there’s a time where students can talk quietly with their peers while working, then you would turn on the whisper light. When you are wanting students to talk within their groups you would turn on the table talk light. Finally, when someone is presenting to the class or when the teacher is talking the presenter light should be on. This is a great tool to use if you were having trouble with side conversations or talking when someone is presenting. The students will keep themselves and their peers accountable for the noise level. It is great to see the improvement of the voice levels in the classroom!
I believe this is most suited for the preventative phase. This tool helps to prevent noise levels from being too high or low. Students will keep themselves and their peers accountable. It aids in the prevention of classroom misbehavior and distractions during lessons. I believe this tool is most suited for collaborative and teacher directed. The teacher will help guide students to know where the noise level should be. It also belongs to the cooperative side of the influence continuum because both the teacher and students are holding themselves accountable for their voice levels. Students are working together to help each other keep their voice levels at an appropriate volume.
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Tool Source: This tool was inspired by my sister-in-law who is an elementary school teacher.
