I became tired of my reading center being the loudest area of the classroom. I teach first grade and they all read out loud, so their voices build in volume to hear over the child next to them. To solve the problem, I bought long flexible tubing. I shaped it into a long skinny "U' shape and tied it off with a plastic tie for durability. It is a very inexpensive version of a reading phone. One end of the U is held to the ear, the other near the mouth. The students have to whisper or it hurts their own ear. The added bonus is that they hear their own voice quality, rate of fluency, and mistakes. It is one of the best things I have in my room and the kids can't get enough of them even by the end of the year! We keep a box of antibacterial wipes next to the storage basket. Students wipe off the mouth end before putting it away.