Constant reminders to stop talking, skipping activities because the class can’t handle the noise, transitions that take way longer than they should, and lessons interrupted again and again- it’s exhausting. Managing noise in the classroom can feel like a full-time job on top of, well, your actual full-time job. Classroom noise can quickly take over your day and your energy. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a few simple tools and strategies, you can create a more focused, manageable environment where students thrive and you stay sane.

Step 1: Start With a Clear Plan

Before teaching your expectations, take time to map them out. Think through your daily routines and transitions. What should student voices sound like during each one?

Examples to plan for:

• Morning arrival

• Transitions between activities

• Reading centers

• Whole-group lessons

• Small-group work

• Independent work time

• Lining up, bathroom breaks, and dismissal

For each of these, decide what voice level you expect. Should it be silent, a whisper, or a normal conversation level? Having this clearly outlined ahead of time makes teaching it to students much easier.

Step 2: Teach It Like a Lesson

Once you’ve made your plan and you know exactly what your voice level expectations are, it’s time to teach them to your students. Treat this just like any other lesson.

Start by seeing what your students already know. Ask them what they think the expectations are during different parts of the day. This opens up a great conversation and helps you see where there might be misunderstandings or gaps.

We go through each level one at a time. We start with Silent Voice, and I call on students to share examples they came up with. As they give suggestions, I write them down directly on our voice-level poster or visual reminder chart. This helps create a shared, class-built tool that students can continue to refer back to.

But we don’t stop at just listing examples. For each suggestion, we talk about why that voice level is important during that activity. For Silent Voice, we might discuss how silence helps people focus, stay safe, or show respect. Then, we practice it.

I model what Silent Voice should look like. Then, the students model it back. We act out real classroom scenarios, so they can connect the expectation to the routine. Every single student participates. If they don’t do it correctly, we go back and do it again. This part is essential- students need to not only hear the expectation but see it and feel what it’s like to follow it.

The more time you spend upfront practicing and modeling, the more success you’ll see later. This sets the tone and shows students exactly what’s expected- not just in theory, but in action.

Interactive, kid-friendly posters you can write on directly

Sticky note activity for brainstorming voice level examples

Step 3: Implement Silent Signals

To cut down on interruptions and noise, I use silent signals- simple hand gestures students can use to communicate needs without speaking. For example, if I’m working with a small group and a student needs to use the bathroom, they simply use the hand signal. I nod, and they go- no disruption.

I teach and practice them at the start of the year, just like voice levels. We model each one, talk about when to use it, and practice together. We also talk about the why behind each signal. When I'm working with a small group, I don’t want students coming up and interrupting to ask if they can go to the bathroom- that disrupts learning. I keep visual posters up until students have them memorized. I like using versions with icons and Spanish translations to make them accessible to all students.

Examples of silent signals

Step 4: Reinforce and Stay Consistent

Once you’ve taught your expectations, the real work begins- reinforcing them consistently all year long. This is what keeps your classroom running smoothly.

Use Positive Reinforcement Wisely

Positive reinforcement is powerful when used intentionally. This doesn’t mean rewarding students just for doing what’s expected. For example, if you’ve told students to stay silent during a test and they do it, that’s not a moment for a reward- it’s simply them meeting the standard.

However, when most of the class is off-task and one student is following expectations, highlight that behavior. Give that student a shoutout, a token, or a ticket- whatever system you use. The key is to do it in front of the class, so everyone sees what meeting expectations looks like. It builds awareness and accountability.

Incorporate Tools That Support Expectations

There are some great tools out there to help reinforce expectations:

• BouncyBalls.org – A noise monitoring website that reacts to classroom volume. Just make sure you explicitly teach students how to use it. Emphasize that it's not a game or a distraction. Set clear rules like “We don’t comment if the bones move” or “We stay focused while the site is up.”

• Classroom Doorbell – I use a Bluetooth doorbell attached to my lanyard. One ring is a warning that the voice level is off. A second ring means a consequence. I teach this from day one, so students know exactly what to expect. The best part? I can use it from anywhere- even the hallway- and students respond immediately.

Above All, Stay Consistent

Consistency is the most important piece. If even one student uses the wrong voice level and you let it slide, others will follow. The standard begins to shift, and it’s harder to get things back on track.

If students slip up, have them practice again. Re-teach. Follow through with the consequence you originally set. That consistent follow-up is what makes the system work long-term.