Hack Your Classroom: 10 Genius Classroom Management Tools From Amazon

Let's face it: effective instruction is nothing without solid classroom management. Have you ever planned a stellar lesson but felt like you fell on your face when you actually taught it? When this happened to me, it was almost always an issue with my classroom management. Being intentional about this vital aspect of instruction always pays off. That’s why I like to have as many classroom management tools in my metaphorical teacher toolbox as possible. These tools also keep things FUN - an often overlooked but important part of building relationships and creating community.

Whenever I’m struggling with classroom management, I come back to this quote. It’s not about rules and procedures, it’s about relationships. I hope you leave today with some new ideas and tools for keeping relationships at the forefront of your classroom management strategy!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Chime

This chime is an excellent option for refocusing students throughout the day. Some classroom management attention getters are obnoxious. In comparison, this creates a serene atmosphere. There is nothing wrong with a loud tool, but I have found that sometimes when my students are already hyper, a peaceful sound can bring them back down. I can convey the atmosphere I want without having to use words. The chime could be used at various times throughout the day: transitions, to cue a student that it is their turn to talk, or as a cue to quiet down if the volume gets too loud during independent work time. The chime is only $10 and is a versatile enough tool that I think would be worth every penny!

The Screaming Goat

If you've never spent 2-3 hours going down a rabbit hole on YouTube watching screaming goat videos, you need to drop what you're doing and do it now! Once you do, you will appreciate this screaming goat figurine. It's 3-4" tall and sits on a stump. When you gently press him, he screams. I like to use this as an attention-getter when students are talking, or we need to get back on topic. You can also use this to bring some levity if you've had a stressful lesson. I wish I would've had this the first week I was teaching long division. It would have been a game-changer. You can't hear it and not laugh! As a bonus, it comes with a small book of facts about goats that the kids love. You could read a couple of facts to students if you have a minute to spare before recess, lunch, or before the bell rings at the end of the day.

Wireless Doorbell

If there's anything teachers are good at, it's taking an everyday item and finding an ingenious way to use it in the classroom. This wireless doorbell is another amazing attention-getter. This was not my idea, but I must admit that this wireless doorbell works like a charm. First of all, this doorbell only requires one battery and no installation, so it is highly user-friendly. It comes with over fifty chimes to choose from. I like using this feature as a group or individual reward. You wouldn't believe how excited students get to pick a new chime tone.

Sound Machine

A teacher friend gave me this amazing little machine the year we taught together, and it’s become a forever favorite. The Sound-Effect Machine can be used in so many ways throughout the school day. It has sounds like: applause, a drum roll, explosion, laughter, ka-ching, womp-womp, and several others. I find that it’s super motivating to throw a sound in here or there during our whole-group instruction and keeps everyone on their toes!

Wireless Microphone

Please do yourself a favor and add two of these wireless microphones to your cart-- one for your classroom and one for your home because it is that much fun. It connects to Bluetooth and can play from any music app. The options with this are endless! I like to use this for brain breaks. I will put on one of our favorite class songs, and we will all sing and dance. In pre-covid times, I would have considered using this as the "talking stick" during class discussions. However, I think the pandemic made everyone feel a little differently about germs. I'm not sure if I would now let them pass around a microphone without time to disinfect in between each student. I think the karaoke microphone would be very versatile in the classroom and that every teacher could find unique ways to make it a valuable educational tool.

Nailed It Button

Let's face it, we all like words of affirmation telling us when we have done an excellent job! This Nailed It Button can raise spirits when acknowledging a job well done by an individual or the whole group. You could use a 3M strip to attach this button to your desk or the wall next to your teaching space. Trust me, your kids are going to love this one.

Hype Button

The thing about the Hype Button is that my students think it's for their benefit, but it is really for me to avoid my afternoon slump! I'm kidding, but I do LOVE this tool. I like to use this button as a cue to let loose, shake it off, and start again. I teach my students this cue when we are learning our class callbacks at the beginning of the year. If we have a challenging lesson or the students are looking disengaged, I hit the hype button. Students know that they will be dancing, jumping, shaking, or anything else it takes to get their blood pumping for the next minute and energy up. I always participate because it helps get some endorphins going for me too! These breaks always boost morale and make the lesson ahead look a little less daunting.

Q Ball

This is one of my favorite items on the list, and it is no coincidence that it is also the most expensive. It is a microphone ball that you can throw, drop, roll, and whatever else you might want to do with it! I was able to easily connect it to my SMART Board speakers. I suggest getting help from donors because this isn't something that most teachers could afford to splurge on their own. I especially loved using this during morning meeting. We would sit in a circle, answer the daily share prompt, then roll the ball to the next person. I would also pull it out on those days that just seem to drag. During my lesson, I’d speak into the ball and when it was time for student participation, i’d toss it to someone and they would give their answer. Talk about an instant engagement boost!

Wireless Presenter Remote

I don’t know about your classroom, but it always seemed like my teacher computer was hooked up in the most inconvenient spot in the room. This would usually leave me running back and forth between the front of the classroom and my computer in order to change to the next slide of my lesson. This Wireless Presenter Remote will allow you to deliver more engaging lessons when you’re using PowerPoint or Google Slides because you won’t be stuck behind your computer. Being free to move about the classroom makes it possible to check for understanding and gauge who is tuned into the lesson. It connects to Bluetooth and is compatible with most devices!

Rainstick

I love this rainstick for a calming classroom management tool. You can use this when transitioning to another activity but want the vibe of the class to remain serene. I also use this as a tool when the class is a little out of control. I will start making noise with the rainstick, and because it is quiet, it takes a while for students to realize I am doing it. Slowly, as they realize, they begin imitating the noise until the whole class is quietly making the rainstick noise.

Push-On Light

This is another one of those genius classroom management tools that would work in any classroom. You can hang one of these behind your small group table and use it to let students know when you’re busy working with a small group. I’ve also seen teachers use these as bathroom passes, which I think is so smart! They hang two of these side by side next to their classroom door, marking one “boys” and one “girls.” Students turn the light on when they are leaving the classroom, and turn it off when they get back.

I hope you’re leaving today with a few ideas to add to your classroom management toolbox. Before you go, don’t forget to download the FREE morning meeting toolkit I’ve put together for teachers who want to get started with morning meetings in their classroom. I truly believe that strong relationships and community are the foundation for effective classroom management, and the best way I’ve found to build relationships is through a daily morning meeting. I think you’re going to LOVE this toolkit. It includes: