Ever read “Lord of the Flies?” Well, in that book the boys find a conch shell. They make a rule that only the person who has the conch can talk during a meeting.

So I decided to try it in my class. I bought a very soft ball. It kind of looks like a big golf ball but it squishes down flat on the table.¹ You could hit someone and it wouldn’t hurt. Actually, this one could probably even be played with inside a house easily.² My point is, the ball is safe. A sponge ball would work well too. You, know, like those orange ones that Nerf put out.

Now, what I do is I make all the students be quiet. Only the person with the ball can talk. So I throw it to the students I want to answer questions and such. A good side benefit of this particular method of classroom management is the fact that I also throw it to random people who might not have their hands up. What this does is makes the students pay attention to me so they don’t get hit with the ball without notice. So, now the students are paying attention, they’re having fun, and they’re answering questions. It’s hard to beat that as a classroom management tool.

1. I know this because I like to flatten it and watch it grow again. I know. I’m easily amused. [«]
2. Of course outside is even better on sunny days. And no need for outdoor furniture covers to protect them form the ball either. [«]

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