10/13/2019
I say this is something we try!!!
"My class loves our 'quiet critters' and often ask if they can be brought out. I only use these sparingly when the class needs to concentrate on a task quietly.
Quiet critters live in a soundproof jar and only come out when it's quiet. Loud noises hurt their ears, but whispering is okay (or however you want to work it).
They love to sit on students' desks to watch and learn from the students. They don't mind being patted, but they get scared if anyone picks them up or tries to play with them.
I place one quiet critter on the top corner of each desk. If the student is too loud, they get moved to the other side of their desk as a reminder that the critters get scared easily. If they continue to be loud, they go back into their jar to hide!
At the end of the quiet lesson, whoever still has a quiet critter on their desk can have points, a sticker, or whatever incentives you have in the room. Quite often, just having the quiet critter on the desk for that lesson is reward enough though.
They're SUPER easy to make! I used a hot glue gun to attach the googly eyes and felt feet to the craft pom poms. I cut the felt into love heart shapes to make feet. You could also use craft foam for the feet. If you can find the precut heart shapes that will make it even easier.
They're perfect for classrooms, or any parent!"
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Credit: Relief Teaching Ideas