Classroom Management Hack: Use Sign Language

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Show Notes:

This week’s hack is all about using sign language in your classroom. Now, I’ve seen this hack used in a couple of different ways so I’ll explain them both.

The first is to teach your students how to sign the letter A for when they have an answer, sign the letter Q when they have a question, sign the letter C when they have a comment and sign the letter R when they need to use the restroom.

Of course, this eliminates the need for students to feel like they need to blurt out whatever it is they want to tell you! Especially if they need to use the restroom in the middle of your lesson, they don't need to raise their hand to ask you. Instead, they can just sign to let you know.

When I first shared this hack, some teachers made a great point about suggesting that instead of only teaching the letter A for the word answer, we should teach students the sign language for the word answer itself, which I thought was a great point. So, if you’d like to teach your students how to sign the actual words for answer, question, comment, and restroom, here is a great website I found called sightspeak.com. This shows very short video clips of how to do these signs if you’d like to teach them to your students!

I would love to know what you think about these classroom management hack mini episodes. It would mean so much to me if you would take a screenshot of this episode and tag me on Instagram @beginningteachertalk because I’d love to know – have you tried this hack in your classroom? How did it work for you?

Lastly, if you need help with streamlining your classroom management right away, you also might want to check out my Chaos to Confidence Classroom Management System. Classroom management isn’t just about tips and tricks or the latest trend. Instead, it’s about learning from someone who’s been where you are and figured it out. 

I've tested all my methods on myself in my own classroom for over 10 years, because trust me, I’m not about to recommend ANYTHING that I haven’t personally seen work with kids firsthand. It's never too late to make the changes you need to in order to get your classroom running the way that you want it to. I'll show you how to do just that inside Chaos to Confidence and give you the resources you’ll need to make it happen.

Related Links & resources:

• Grab your FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist.
• Join the Chaos to Confidence Classroom Management Mini-Course.
• Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private Facebook Group.
• Follow Dr. Lori on Instagram.
• Learn more about R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy.

I hope this information is helpful as you prepare for your first, second, or third year of teaching. Until next time, remember, just because you're a beginning elementary teacher, there's no need for you to struggle like one.

💛 Lori

Dr. Lori Friesen | Beginning Teacher Mentor

Creator of the R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy, Dr. Lori Friesen has mentored thousands of beginning teachers across the country through her workshops and courses. Host of the popular podcast, Beginning Teacher Talk, and creator of the innovative literacy program for 1st and 2nd grade, Dogs Help Kids Read and Succeed, Dr. Lori is dedicated to serving educators and inspiring learners. Learn more at drlorifriesen.com and at howdogshelpkids.com.

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• How to Create Your Classroom Management Plan: Materials, Routines, Rules & Class Jobs
• Your Classroom Management Re-Start

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