Classroom Management Made Fun: How “Quiet Critters” Transformed Silent Reading Time

Meet Jess Bennett, a passionate fourth-year preservice teacher from Geelong, Australia, and a self-proclaimed glitter enthusiast! I recently discovered Jess’s inspiring Instagram feed, @adventureswithmiss_b, where she shares creative classroom strategies and hands-on teaching ideas. One strategy that really stood out is her use of “Quiet Critters”—a fun and effective classroom management tool. Today, Jess is our guest blogger, sharing how these tiny creatures made a big impact in her classroom.

Meet Jess Bennett: Future Educator & Creative Classroom Enthusiast

Hi! I’m Jess, and I’m about to begin my teaching career in January 2019. I’m passionate about building engaging learning environments using hands-on, creative resources. I believe that when students are invested in their learning, they thrive—and when they’re bored, they disengage.

As a craft lover and resource creator, I enjoy designing tools that make learning fun. During my final teaching rounds in a Grade 1/2 composite class, I noticed that silent reading time was a real challenge. The classroom was noisy, and students were easily distracted.

What Are Quiet Critters?

After researching classroom management strategies, I discovered a resource on Teachers Pay Teachers called “Quiet Critters” by Relief Teaching Ideas. These adorable critters are made from pom-poms, googly eyes, and felt feet (I added hats, bows, and antennae to mine!). They live in a soundproof jar and only come out when the classroom is quiet.

The concept is simple:

• Classroom Management Quiet Critters love to watch students work quietly.

• If the noise level rises, they get scared and return to their jar.

• They’re not to be touched—just quietly observed.

I introduced them with a sense of wonder, explaining that they were special classroom visitors who needed a peaceful environment. My students were instantly hooked, they truly believe the critters are alive!

The Impact on Classroom Behavior with the Classroom Management Quiet Critters Technique

Since introducing Quiet Critters, the change has been incredible.

• Noise levels dropped significantly during silent reading.

• Student engagement increased—they were excited to “earn” a critter on their desk.

• The critters became a fun, non-verbal way to reinforce expectations.

I use them sparingly to maintain their magic, and students always return them to their “home” when the activity ends.

A Must-Have Tool for Preservice Teachers

If you’re a preservice teacher looking for classroom management ideas, I highly recommend creating your jar of Quiet Critters. They’re easy to make, cost-effective, and incredibly effective for managing noise during independent work.

Final Thoughts

Thank you for reading! To all the preservice teachers out there, keep experimenting, stay creative, and remember: the little things (like pom-poms with googly eyes!) can make a big difference in your classroom. Let’s help our students grow one quiet critter at a time.

Jess Bennett

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