I used to use the type of "tricks" shown in this video...until I discovered Power Teaching. The trick with Power Teaching is so much easier and more effective. The teacher yells "Class" and all the students respond, "Yes!" and they freeze. It takes one second instead of several with the countdown method. You can learn more about Power Teaching (now called Whole Brain Teaching) at their website www.wholebrainteaching.com. I have posted a video on my website showing that even a 5th grader can lead a class using Power Teaching techniques. Thanks for sharing videos Edutopia!

Hello my name is Dawn Smith and I am currently a student at Walden University's M.S. in Education program and participating in blogging for the first time. It is all new and I am definitely lost on here. I did enjoy the tricks of the trade videos though about the strategies used to quiet a classroom. I really like the idea of the using sign language for asking to go to the bathroom or get drinks. Those interruptions were the most irritating to me last year as I was a substitute teacher in Middle School. Signing is a great idea, thank you!

I agreed with the comments given by the videos. I persoanlly use the count down startegy and sign lanagueg for direction, such as AR readign or asking to go to the restroom. It works wonders with my classes, and this prevents me raising my voice.

I agree with the Tricks of Trade video that teachers should not raise their voices when they are trying to quiet a classroom. As the teacher in the video I count down from 5 to 1, which works a lot of times. I also get really quiet and almost whisper. This gets students to stop talking and listen. What should be done when students do not want to stop talking? Should we then raise our voices?

I loved the fishbowl idea and try to teach using my student's prior knowledge as much as possible. However, the video showed a classroom with about 10 students. I'm not sure I could keep a group of 25 teenagers focused enough to learn from the 4 or 5 "fish". I suppose this is an exercise for elementary students, and I suppose my students were not exposed to it.

The other four "tricks of the trade" were helpful reminders, but nothing new.

Managing a classroom requires strategoes and tactics. This site brought to light five techniques to use in controlling classroom behavior. Sign language to communicate to a student without interrupting the class. the fishbowl where student learns to work together and participate in discussion being polite and using social skills. (my favorite) Redirection is like being a magician and distracting and giving a new direction. Quieting by not raising voice and causing more chaos. use clapping or handsigns. Lastly, a handshake making personal connection and teaching personal and social skills.

There was a problem with the video as there was no picture. The audio part was adequate to come away with the tactics. The video would have brought it to life.