Clapping is a good way to settle them back down.

[Brian]

I teach middle school, and class can get pretty noisy when they're doing pair- or group-work, and trying to get their attention again can be tricky.  Something I found that works is just clapping.  The students are talking amongst themselves (hopefully on task *cough*), and if after trying to get their attention again doesn't work, I'll say "clap once" *clap*, "clap three times" *clap clap clap*, and the students in the front will follow along, and after about three times everyone is doing it and paying attention to the teacher again. 

[capebretonbarbarian]

Any loud noise will usually do.  I've used clapping with a chant, worked wonderfully.  Chant "look at the teacher", clap, clap, clap, Chant - (Teacher's name) Teacher. 
 A bell works really good, too.

[elzoog]

You can also choose a simple rhythm to clap (don't get too fancy) and make the students clap the same rhythm back.

[muadib]

Oh yeah, clapping is my standby, it has the power to stop almost anything that may be happening.

[Joshteacher]

This is one of the main Class management tools I use along with group points.
I say "Class #" and they repeat "class #" 'Clap clap (clap)'
However, then the students but their hands on their head.
The reason we (co-teacher and I) do this is because if the sound doesn't
get their attention then seeing other students with their hands on their head does.
I also give points to the groups that respond and quiet down the quickest.
The odd group or students within a group that are still talking will lose a 'star/point'.

[RufusW]

I hate to always be negative... but you don't teach young kids and presumably they all know what 'quiet' means.  It may well be necessary, but it disappoints me that clapping is needed.  Do Korean teachers need to clap?  /rant

[Bittens5]

I also use a combination of claps/simon says/follow the leader type things to get my students back on track after a group or partner activity.  Works great for me.

Yeah, Korean teachers do need to clap and whatnot...I've seen many in my school do it, especially after a game when they are trying to get everyone on the same page. 

[Morticae]

Nobody claps in my middle school. Or sings. They don't like to role play, either. Basically, if it is considered "childish" they don't like it.

To get attention, I bang on the desk/table really loud with my stick. I then proceed to bask in the dead silence.

[RufusW]

Yeah, Korean teachers do need to clap and whatnot...

Middle School teacher?  Thanks for answering.

[Paul]

I've started using the Distinguished Society of Dramatic Animals to signal times up:
http://cuteoverload.com/2010/11/11/more-drams/

Worked better than I imagined.

[jehall]

I hate to always be negative... but you don't teach young kids and presumably they all know what 'quiet' means.  It may well be necessary, but it disappoints me that clapping is needed.  Do Korean teachers need to clap?  /rant

I don't think it's just a language issue. It's pretty common back home for teachers to get young kids' attention by clapping and having them clap back. When you're tuned out you need something novel to get your attention and English words don't fit that bill but many noises do.

[raintenshi]

I hate to always be negative... but you don't teach young kids and presumably they all know what 'quiet' means. 

Many students know the 'f word' is a bad/curse word and they shouldn't use it (in school). But that doesn't seem to stop them now does it?

But frankly some students do, some don't. And some, frankly, just ignore you when you say 'quiet' or 'please be quiet'. And this can be true for any school: elementary, middle or secondary school.

[loredewet]

Well does anyone have some new ideas getting students to settle down, because the clapping thing is getting a bit old....thanks. I hate to shout at them..

[kmbette]

When I get tired of clapping, this has served me well with elementary school students:
Teach the kids this call and response: Teacher, "Are you ready?" Students, "Yes! Yes! Tea-cher!"

I don't like shouting so try this -- get the attention of two or three students that don't mind shouting loud, and say "are you ready?" to them so they can be the ones doing the shouting. Gets all the other students' attention for the second time you call it out.