Managing Noise in The Classroom

In a study by the Spanish Organization, Consumer and Users elementary schools are far too noisy. The Organization looked into ten schools in the Madrid and Barcelona areas. They found that inside schools the noise levels were above the recommended 40db. The noise levels in a classroom can easily impact the child’s learning.

There are a lot of noises that the teacher has no control over. The hum of the AC going on, the motor of the goldfish filter, noise from down the hall or an adjacent classroom. If you add to this noise loud children in the classroom, it is no wonder the teacher’s instructions get misunderstood.
Since children spend 40 to 60 percent of the time listening all the noise can be a big problem.

One way to help with noise management is to get a classroom noisemeter app. The app monitors how loud the children are in the classroom. Viewing the noise levels on a monitor can help children realize just how loud they are being. Telling a child to use a quiet voice can be confusing. The child might not know exactly how loud is too loud. The noise meter shows children exactly what the appropriate noise levels are. The meter also helps with self-management skills since the child can see his noise level and quite down on his own. The teacher can focus on teaching the class instead of bringing attention to certain students for being too loud.

Noise can be a confusing concept to elementary students. To help them understand how noise affects a classroom make noise the theme for a week. Show them using the app what it looks like when the class is loud, and what the class looks like when it is quiet. Explain to the students how noise affects their ability to listen and encourage them to tell the teacher if they cannot hear him.

Play some listening games such as the telephone game to show just how important it is to listen. You can also play some noise experiments for science to show how noise travels. One experiment that you can do is to put saran wrap over a bowl. Pour some rice on top of the saran wrap. Then bang a pan close to the bowl, the rice will jump because of soundwaves. It helps show students the way that sound moves. One sound made at one end of the classroom can be heard over on the other end.

Other ways that a teacher can reduce the noise level of the classroom is to put up boards or cloth on the walls to help dampen noise. Also, put a cloth on the bottom of chairs and tables to help reduce noise when you move them.

It is impossible to reduce all noise in a classroom. With proper noise management, the children can still have a good learning atmosphere. Noise in a classroom doe does not have to be a big problem. With these tips, you can help manage the noise to keep it at appropriate levels.