9 Catchy Callbacks to Engage Your Classroom Counseling Lessons

I became a school counselor straight out of grad school almost a decade ago. I was never a teacher and initially felt intimidated by classroom counseling lessons.

It took me a while to get a hang of classroom management, but once I did, classroom counseling lessons became the highlight of my day.

I love interactive, highly engaging, crafty classroom counseling lessons. I quickly learned the more hands-on the activity, the more energized the students can become. Knowing how to wrangle students back in without crushing their creativity is important.

I had to figure out how to maintain order while allowing students to interact freely and develop critical social skills.

One thing that has helped me to tame the crowd’s excitement during lessons was teaching my students fun and interactive callbacks that quickly grab their attention and redirect their focus.

These fun, attention-grabbing, catchy callbacks helped keep students from getting too excited, gave gentle reminders to self-regulate, and led to an enhanced learning environment.

My students have come to associate these catchy callbacks with my classroom sessions, eagerly awaiting the next playful phrase that keeps the atmosphere both calm and enjoyable.

Here is a list of ten of my favorites. For those who are looking for a bit more, I also offer a list of forty-five impactful callback phrases for optimal classroom management.

Call Backs for Classroom Counseling Lessons

Hocus Pocus, Everybody Focus!

You: Hocus Pocus

Students: Everybody Focus!

This one is seasonal and spooktacular fun!

Heartbeat, Slow and Steady

You: Heartbeat (as you raise your hearts to your heart)

Students: Slow and Steady (then they take a deep breath)

This one teaches students to pay attention to their bodies, and take a moment to calm down if their bodies seem overwhelmed.

Raincloud, Let it Storm

You: Raincloud

Students: Let It Storm – BOOOMMMM! (Students say BOOM loud like thunder and then immediately silent.)

Deep Breath, IN OUT

You: Deep Breath!

Students: In…Out (They breathe in as they say “IN” and say “OUT” as they breathe out.)

Sunflowers, Stand Tall

You: SUNFLOWERS

Students: Stand Tall (as they raise their arms high in the sky, reaching as high as possible).

Sunny Side, UP

You: Sunny Side!

Students: UP! (as they drop all supplies and stand up in place, once all silent, you ask them to sit.)

Ready Set, Mindset Check

You: Ready, Set!

Students: Mindset Check (put hands on temples, close eyes, take a deep breath).

Teamwork, Makes the Dream Work

You: Teamwork

Students: Makes the Dream Work

At All Costs, Spaghetti Sauce

You: At all costs!

Students: Spaghetti Sauce

This one is just kind of funny. Students love nonsense.

Want More?

If you’re looking for more, check out my forty-five callback printable.

It’ll definitely help take your classroom management skills to the next level.

What would you add to this list? Any callbacks you have found to be particularly helpful?

You may like some of my other classroom counseling lesson tools! Be sure to check out my behavior management cards, emotional regulation activities, and calming strategies resources.

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You May Also Like:

• Healthy Friendships Small Group Curriculum
• 6 Creative Ways to Get Kids Talking
• Calm Down Strategies Games
• Good Citizenship Skills and Activities

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I truly love connecting with my fellow educators and school counselors. I love talking about all things SEL, classroom counseling lessons, and emotional regulation. Reach out any time with needs, concerns, or ideas!