The acceptable noise level will differ from one teaching situation to another. There is working noise and "noisy" noise. Loud or soft sounds produced at the right time and for the right purpose can be acceptable working noise. Even very minute sounds produced during a class where much concentration is required may be too "noisy." It is helpful to identify acceptable noise levels. A statement such as "Today you may use a whispering voice," makes a positive statement about what is appropriate. It is better than saying, "Shhh!" The teacher who models the acceptable level is more effective than the one who loudly judges the children for sounds they are making.

What is acceptable will be affected by some of the following factors.

1. Acoustics of the working level.

A. Carpet, wooden or tile floors

B. Walls or partitions

C. Low or high ceilings

D. Hard or echoing surfaces or drapes and soft surfaces

2. Amount of space between and among working areas

A. Large room or small room

B. Indoor or outdoor situation

C. Distance between communicators and listeners

D. Amplifying systems available

3. Purpose of lesson

A. Must something be auditory? Example: Learning voiced and unvoiced consonants

B. Learning how to discuss, debate, or converse on a telephone

C. Peer editing of written work

4. Special needs

A. People with hearing losses who are bothered by various types of sounds

B. Feelings of others. Examples: People who want to be included and cannot hear. People who need

to concentrate while others pass through a hallway.

Make a mark in the box to show what you believe would be acceptable in each of these cases.

Loud Medium Soft None at All

Band rehearsal
During a standardized test
Soccer game at recess
Lunch hour in cafeteria
Hallway - Walking past rooms where others are working
In a room where students are working at several science learning stations
In a painting class