Getting someone's attention — sorting cards

Getting heard when you need something · 5–9 · Roo Bloom

How to use these pages

Print all the pages. A4, single sided, at 100% — not “fit to page”.
Cut along the dashed lines to make the cards.
Put the two mats on the table, a bit apart.
Read a card out, or let your child read it, and put it on the mat they choose.
The answer key on the last page is for you. It is not for marking — it is so you have the explanation ready when your child asks why.

Put the two mats apart on the table. Each card is one way of trying to be heard.

GETS YOU HEARD

Gets you heard

MAKES IT HARDER

Makes it harder

The cards

Cut along the dashed lines

Ava needs help with her maths sheet.
Ava: “Mr Reed, I need help please.”
Getting someone's attention · Roo Bloom
Leo wants Ms Patel. She is helping another table.
Leo: “Miss! Miss! Miss! Miss!”
Leo shouts it again from across the room.
Getting someone's attention · Roo Bloom
Zara falls off the bars and cannot get up.
Zara: “My arm really hurts!”
Kai runs over and interrupts the teacher straight away.
Getting someone's attention · Roo Bloom
Mia wants the glue stick Finn is using.
Mia pulls the glue stick out of Finn's hand.
Getting someone's attention · Roo Bloom
Omar's little brother runs towards the busy road.
Omar shouts 'STOP!' as loud as he can.
Getting someone's attention · Roo Bloom
Nina's hand has been up for a long time.
Nina keeps her hand up and waits some more.
Getting someone's attention · Roo Bloom
Sam taps Hana's arm to show her a book.
Hana: “Please don't tap me.”
Sam stops tapping and says Hana's name instead.
Getting someone's attention · Roo Bloom
Eli needs Priya. Priya jumps when people touch her.
Eli taps Priya hard on the back.
Getting someone's attention · Roo Bloom
Tam has no words right now. Tam's cup is empty.
Tam holds the empty cup up to Dad.
Getting someone's attention · Roo Bloom
Mum is telling Nan about the train times.
Mum: “The train leaves at half past four.”
Noah talks over Mum to ask for a lolly.
Getting someone's attention · Roo Bloom
Dad is on a phone call. Ines needs Dad.
Ines interrupts the phone call straight away.
Getting someone's attention · Roo Bloom
Jonah wants the coach. The coach is far away.
Jonah shouts to the coach from where he stands.
Getting someone's attention · Roo Bloom

For grown-ups: what each card is about

Cards marked “either” are the interesting ones. Both answers are defensible and the conversation is the point.

1. GETS YOU HEARD
Ava said his name, so Mr Reed knew who was talking.
Say the person's name first.
2. MAKES IT HARDER
Ms Patel heard noise, not what Leo needed.
Walk over and say what you need. — Walk to Ms Patel and say what you need.
3. GETS YOU HEARD
Zara is hurt now, so the teacher needed to know now.
Someone hurt? Tell a grown-up now.
4. MAKES IT HARDER
Finn got a fright and still did not know what Mia wanted.
Ask with words before taking a thing. — Say 'Finn, can I have the glue next?'
5. GETS YOU HEARD
A big shout stops someone fast when a car is coming.
Shout loud when someone is in danger.
6. MAKES IT HARDER
Ms Patel's back was turned, so nobody saw Nina's hand.
If nobody sees, go over and say it. — Walk over and say 'Ms Patel, I've been waiting.'
7. GETS YOU HEARD
Hana said no tapping, so Sam used her name instead.
Someone says no tapping? Use their name.
8. MAKES IT HARDER
The tap gave Priya a fright, so she missed the question.
Use a name for people who dislike tapping. — Stand where Priya can see you and say 'Priya.'
9. GETS YOU HEARD
Dad could see the empty cup, so he knew what Tam meant.
Show the thing instead of saying it.
10. MAKES IT HARDER
Two voices at once, so Nan lost the train times.
If it can wait, wait for a pause. — Wait for Mum to stop, then ask.
11. Either
If the toaster is on fire, interrupt now. If she wants a biscuit, wait for a pause.
Ask yourself: can this wait?
12. Either
If someone is hurt, shout now. If Jonah wants a turn with the ball, walk over.
Shout for danger. Walk over for small things.