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Thoughts on Teaching, Leadership, and Educational Technology

Making a Waterfall

10/22/2013

4 Comments

 
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We had an assembly at my school today. If you’ve ever been to a school assembly, you know that it’s essential for the presenter to be able to manage the crowd, to get students back under control and focused after a joke, trick, or part of the presentation that causes (or tempts) students to talk. This morning I saw the presenter use an amazingly simple-yet-effective technique to keep the students focused and engaged. He called it “making a waterfall.”

Here’s what he did. He told students that when they heard him say, “Waterfall,” they were to make a waterfall with their hands and fingers. Watch the short video below where I demonstrate what he did.

If you’re an administrator who frequently speaks in front of an audience of students (especially at the elementary level), this might be something to try. If you’re a teacher, this might be a technique to use in the classroom to get students refocused after a group activity. 

UPDATE: I used this technique two days later at grade-level awards assemblies, and it worked amazingly well (better than I even thought it would)! This is a keeper that I'll definitely be using in the future.

4 Comments
Tim Bedley link
10/22/2013 12:26:26 pm

Brent, you always bring the best and simplest ideas to the table. Love this one. Thanks for taking the time to share with the world.

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Brent link
10/24/2013 02:15:58 pm

Thanks, Tim! I love sharing, and I think this idea is gold. Had to share with the world. :)

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Chris Passafume link
10/22/2013 12:36:03 pm

Hmmm...great idea!! I am going to have to try that for sure! Thanks Brent :-)

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Brent link
10/24/2013 02:16:39 pm

You got it, Chris!

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    About Brent

    Brent has worked in the field of education as a teacher and administrator for 25 years. He is currently Principal of Alta Murrieta Elementary School in Murrieta, California. Read more about Brent here.


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  • Home
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    • The Gift
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    • Video Tutorials: Google Forms
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    • Math Review Videos
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