How quiet is too quiet, when it comes to writing workshop?
When the room is utterly silent, my voice feels like an enormous intrusion. If the room is absent of any background noise, a conversation with an individual student becomes the focal point of the entire classroom, a noisy distraction.
There is quite a bit of research into the topic of background noise and productivity. In recent years, the popularity of open-plan offices has sparked widespread interest in what level of noise, and what type of noise is helpful to staying focused, being productive, and being creative.
In one recent study, researchers found that there is an optimal volume of noise for many people, when it comes to being productive and creative. For many, too quiet an environment can be stifling, and too loud can be distracting–but there is a sweet spot, right around 70 decibels that seems to be optimal (that’s approximately the volume of running a shower, according to this source).
A sound machine or play list can drown out distracting noises to help you create an environment in your classroom that is not too quiet, or too loud, but just right. There are a number of websites and apps that specialize in background noises. Here are a few of my personal favorites:
Noisli
I like Noisli because you can mix ambient sounds yourself and create a personal playlist for your classroom or for individual students to listen to using headphones. Also, the basic version of it is free and simple to use on any device.
White Noise, Pink Noise, Brown Noise
Some experts differentiate between different types of white noise. If you are super sensitive to different sounds, it’s helpful to be able to put a name to the nuanced differences. This post provides examples of all three, plus some nice suggestions for lyric-free background music. Also, educators over at TeachThought.com made their own white noise for the classroom.
Coffitivity
This site/app is perfect if you love working in coffee shops and want to bring some of that atmosphere to your classroom.
Brain.fm
This site uses electronic music generated by its AI technology to provide sounds that reportedly improve brain function.
Rainy Mood
I like this one for its simplicity – it’s just a rain soundtrack, updated daily.
Background noise is not for everyone. For some learners, silence is incredibly helpful. Achieving total silence in any group setting is nearly impossible, so I highly recommend noise-blocking ear muffs for the handful of students that can’t focus with background noise, lyric-less music, or nature sounds. You can find them at many retailers – here’s a very inexpensive pair on Amazon.
With any new aspect of writing workshop, a little trial and error will go a long way in finding the tool that is right for your students, in your classroom. What works for one classroom, may not be right for yours.
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 
An interesting post – thank you for sharing Beth. I plan on sharing these resources with my faculty.
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I’ve always been the kind of writer who prefers total silence. However, lately, I’ve been drawn to classical music playing softly in the background. (My favorites are Yo-Yo Ma’s Bach Cello Suites and Handel’s Water Music.) I’ve never tried writing with white noise, but it is worth a try.
Thanks for all of the links!
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Thanks so much for this post. I settled on Noisli and Rainy Mood. I have an instrumental music playlist and a fireplace video that I often use for WW, and these two sites will round them off. Very helpful for both school and my own work.
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Those are my two favorites as well! I love using the classroom screen to provide calming images—fireplaces, waterfalls, ocean, and snow falling are some of my faves!
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