You’re going to be pleased that you added these incredibly fun classroom cheers and claps to your teaching.
While teachers would love for students to be intrinsically motivated most of the time, the reality is that public praise often works and can be a major confidence booster for learners.
A number of classroom management systems focus heavily on consequences and give much attention to correcting negative behaviors (which is at times needed).
However, implementing more positive reinforcement strategies such as classroom cheers and claps often produces equally impressive results.
Here you will find ideas for classroom affirmation chants and celebration cheers.
What are Classroom Cheers and Claps?
Classroom cheers and claps serve as quick fun moments of praise that help students stay engaged, motivated, and energized.
They provide students with positive formative feedback that sparks fun, builds community, and celebrates wins.
If you want to know “How do I cheer up my classroom?”, check out this list of fun classroom cheers and claps most appropriate for elementary and middle school students.
These motivational cheers for students are sure to be a hit, and you can even use them at pep rallies!
Classroom Cheers for Elementary Students
1. Attention Grabbers Cheers
Take a few of your best classroom attention getters, modify them to be more celebratory in nature, and then use them as classroom cheers and claps.
This way, you’ll never run out of quick classroom cheers!
2. Cowboy Cheer
Students swing their hands over their heads in a circle like a lasso. They shout, “Yeehaw!”
3. Elvis Cheer
Students pretend to be Elvis, holding a microphone while saying, “Thank you… thank you very much!.”
4. I Like It Cheer
When students show a positive behavior, perform this fun cheer, “That’s the way, uh hu, uh huh, I like it, uh hu, uh huh.
That’s the way, uh hu, uh huh, I like it, uh hu, uh hu!”
(To the tune of … That’s the Way I Like It by K-C and the Sunshine Band)
5. Round of Applause Cheer
Students clap their hands in a circular motion, giving a “round’ of applause.
6. Disco Cheer
Standing, students point one arm up and down diagonally while shaking their hips singing,
“Ha ha ha ha, you did a good job, you did a good job!… Haha ha ha, you did a good jooooooooooooooooobb……. You did a good job!”.
(To the tune of Stayin’Alive by the Bee Gees)
7. Trucker Cheer
Students place a fist near their mouths as if talking into a trucker’s CB radio.
They then say in a deep trucker’s voice (or female trucker’s voice), “You did a good job, buddy.”
8. Cheese Grater Cheer
Students pretend to grate cheese (twisting motion using both hands) and say, “You’re great, great, great, great….!”
9. Hamburger Cheer
While making a sizzling sound, students pretend that they are placing a hamburger patty on a skillet.
They ask themselves, “Is it done yet?” They then turn their hand over, pretending to look at the patty and say, “Not yet.”
They repeat this scenario twice. On the third time, they give a thumbs up and state, “Well done!”.
10. Selfie Cheer
Students hold up a hand, pretending they’re going to take a selfie.
They say to themselves while posing, “Look at you! You did such a great job!”
11. Microwave Cheer
Students wave with their pinky fingers.
12. Na! Na! Na! Na! Cheer
Students cheer this classic chorus, “Na, na, na, na…na, na, na, na…hey, hey, hey, … good job!”
13. Ole! Ole! Ole! Cheer
Students wave both arms in the air while repeating twice, “Uno, dos, tres, Ole! Ole! Ole!”….
14. Raise the Roof Cheer
Students raise their palms in the air, bouncing them up and down while shouting, “Raise the Roof!” repeatedly.
15. Sign Language Applause Cheer
A type of classroom applause, students raise both hands on the side of or above their heads, waving the hands quickly.
Final Thoughts: Classroom Cheers and Chants
Make these classroom cheers and claps a part of your daily routines and procedures.
Students will be more encouraged, motivated, focused, and happy. Additionally, you’ll reinforce more positive behaviors instead of negative ones.
If you liked this list of classroom cheers and claps, you might be interested in whole class reward ideas.