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It can be very difficult to get students to quiet down and become attentive so that they can observe the signs of animal life around them. Challenging them to stand and listen, as a group, silently for 1 to 2 minutes when you first go outside for field collections, is a remarkably useful exercise. Have students stand at least an arm's distance away from others (this prevents jostling and other distractions) and challenge them to maintain 2 minutes of absolute silence. Ask them to pay attention to all of the sounds, man-made or otherwise, that they hear during that time. You can remind them that often we hear animals that we can't see.

Students may hear squirrels, birds, vocal insects, such as crickets and cicadas, or the buzzing of flies and bees. Once the listening exercise is over, remind them to continue to use their quiet observation skills in tracking down animals and recording their presence.