Hand signals students are expected to use.

The natural impulse for

students is to shoot their hand up in the middle of instruction and ask to
go to the bathroom, or, talk during the lesson. This can be disruptive so
managing this impulse by using hand signals helps students learn
better.

All hand signals hang in the front of

the room for the duration of the
school year so that I and students
can refer back to them as needed.
Below is a photo of the front of my
classroom with each hand signal
hanging up, available for reference
at any time.
Below is the sign that students are
expected to use to indicate that they
have to use the restroom. They do this
by raising a fist.
Below is the sign that students are expected to
use to indicate, “We are silent”. They hold up
two fingers to signify that they and others
should be silent.
Below is the sign that students are Below is the sign that students are
instructed to use of the have a expected to use to indicate when they
question or a comment during a have a private question comment or
class. concern.
 To the left, students raise their hands to answer questions,
make comments, or ask questions during the lesson. In
communicating their desire to speak in class silently and
waiting to be called on, they avoid calling out which can
disrupt the flow of class. Calling out can also cause other
students to miss important information. By making sure to
raise a silent hands, students demonstrate that they value
the education of themselves and others.

To the right, students raise a single finger to indicate that

they have a private question or concern. The student in the
top picture had to use the nurse and the student below
them could not see the board and wanted to move their
seat closer to the board. In communicating with their
silent hand signals, I know that they have a private
concern that I need to tend to as soon as possible.