And, if you’re already using call and response with your students, you might need some fresh inspiration to grab their attention.
In this guide, we’ll share the benefits of using this method in your teaching, and we’ll give you a ton of call and response ideas for the classroom from movies, music, and more to inspire your students.
Let’s get ready …
… to rumble!
The Benefits Of Using Call And Response With Your Students
Using call and response in the classroom – where the teacher starts a phrase, and the students have to finish it – is a great tactic to get the children’s attention.
They can be used when the children are getting a little rowdy, and there’s too much chatter going on.
State your call, and the children will respond, killing the previous noise and getting them to refocus their attention on you.
Or, you can use a call and response to signal to your students that you will be changing tasks.
For example, if it’s time for them to wrap up with art and move on to math, do your call, and the children will respond. You can then talk to them about what you want them to do next.
Call and response chants are captivating for children, and they’re a much better method of getting their attention than clapping your hands or trying to talk or shout above the noise.
If you’ve never used call and response with your students, we recommend giving it a try.
We’ve listed some memorable prompts below to get you started.
Our Favorite Call And Response Ideas For The Classroom
Some of the best prompts, apart from the ones you make with your students – which are great because they’re personal to your class, are those from popular culture.
Below, we’ve listed our favorite call and response ideas from TV, movies, and music, but we’re sure you can think of a lot more to add to the list:
TV Call And Response Ideas
Adventure Time:Teacher: “What time is it?” Students: “Adventure time!”
Spongebob Squarepants: Teacher: “Are you ready, kids?” Students: “Aye, Aye, Captain!” (This one is great as, despite being a popular culture reference, it asks the children if they’re ready for their next task).
Spongebob Squarepants: Teacher: “Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?” Students: “Spongebob Squarepants.”
Pokemon:Teacher: “Who’s that Pokémon?” Students: “It’s Pikachu!” (We love this one because you can change the Pokemon regularly to keep the kids engaged).
Scooby Doo:Teacher: “Scooby Dooby Doo” Students: “Where Are You?”
Paw Patrol: Teacher: “No job is too big…” Students: “No pup is too small!” (This is great for younger kids, but older children may also enjoy the familiarity).
Kenan & Kel: Teacher: “Who loves orange soda?” Students: “Kel loves orange soda!” (Okay, we admit – this one is more for nostalgia for the teacher, but the children will love to join in, especially if you use the voice!)
Bob The Builder: Teacher: “Can we fix it?” Students: “Yes, we can.” (This works best with younger children).
Teen Titans:Teacher: “Wakey wakey” Students: “Tofu eggs and bacey”.
Tweety Pie – Looney Tunes: Teacher: “I taught I taw…” Students: “…a putty tat.”
Power Rangers:Teacher: “Go, Go, Power…” Students: “…Rangers!”
Finding Nemo: Teacher: “Shark bait” Students: “Ohh ha ha.”
Guardians Of The Galaxy: Teacher: “I am…” Students: “Groot!”
Lilo & Stitch: Teacher: “Ohana means…” Students: “…family!”
Forrest Gump: Teacher: “Life is like a box of chocolates…” Students: “…you never know what you’re gonna get.” (Your students may not have seen the movie, but they’re probably familiar with the phrase).
The Little Mermaid:Teacher: “I wanna be…” Students: “… where the people are.”
Toy Story:Teacher: “To infinity…” Students: “…And beyond.”
ET:Teacher: “ET…” Students: “Phone home!”
Frozen: Teacher: “Do you wanna …” Students: “… build a snowman?”
Frozen:Teacher: “Let it go…” Students: “Let it gooooo.”
The Lion King:Teacher: “Hakuna Matata…” Students: “What a wonderful phrase!”
Star Wars: Teacher: “May the force…” Students: “…be with you.” (You HAVE to use this one on 4th May).
Music Call And Response Ideas
Baby Shark: Teacher: “Baby shark” Students: “doo doo doo doo doo doo” (This call and response is best for younger children).
Can’t Stop The Feeling By Justin Timberlake: Teacher: “I got this feeling…” Students: “Inside my bones!”
We Will Rock You By Queen: Teacher: “We will, we will…” Students: “Rock you!”
Hey Ya by Outkast:Teacher: “What’s cooler than being cool?” Students: “Ice cold!”
Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice: Teacher: “Stop, collaborate…” Students: “…and listen!” (We think this one is great for getting your students to listen up.)
The Lion Sleeps Tonight by The Tokens: Teacher: “In the jungle, the mighty jungle,” Students: “The lion sleeps tonight.” (The children probably recognize this from The Lion King).
Everything Is Awesome by Tegan And Sara: Teacher: “Everything is …” Students: “AWESOME”.
The Fox by Ylvis:Teacher: “What does the…” Students: “… fox say?”
Happy by Pharrell Williams: Teacher: “Clap along if you feel like…” Students: “…a room without a roof.”
If You’re Happy And You Know It:Teacher: “If you’re happy and you know it…” Students: “…clap your hands.” (We love this one because everyone knows it well – and you can change it up by using a different verse).
Don’t Worry, Be Happy by Bob Marley: Teacher: “Don’t worry …” Students: “… be happy.”
Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley: Teacher: “Never gonna give you up,” Students: “Never gonna let you down.”
Final Thoughts
Using call and response in the classroom is a great way to get your students’ attention to refocus them on a new task or to quiet some of the chatter.
Above, we’ve included a selection of popular prompts from TV, movies, and songs – we’ve included something for all ages.
Which call and response prompts will you be using in the classroom?
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