“Can I go to the bathroom?”
“I need a Kleenex.”
“I gotta sharpen my pencil.”
A student’s hand is raised. Does she need a pencil? Does she need to use the restroom? Or does she have trouble with a math problem?
The Solution
One of the best things I implemented in my classroom was the use of hand signals. It takes a little practice in the beginning, but students get used to using the hand signals.
Here are my signals:
1 Finger = Pencil
2 Crossed Fingers: Restroom
3 Fingers: Kleenex or Water
5 Fingers: Question
Thumbs Up: Got it!
Thumb to the Side: Still Working
These come in handy during standardized testing, too! (I know, I know. It’s WAY too early to think about that!)
Free Printable Signs
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16 thoughts on “Classroom Management Solution: Hand Signals”
Love these signs showing the hand signals. Only problem for me is that the sign you have for restroom with two fingers crossed is the signal we use school wide for Respect (sign language “r”) for kids to quite down. Do you have a sign with just 2 finger held up?
You could use the American sign language for bathroom – which is the letter “t”. Make a fist, put the thumb between the first and second fingers and shake back and forth (kind of)
Can you please email these to me? For some reason I am
Unable to access them.
Thank you!
Alihelline@yahoo.com
What a helpful information!. I’d like to apply to my classroom. Thanks anyway.
I’m unable to get the printable sign. Is there a chance you could email it to me? Thank you!
Hi Debbie!
Make sure you open the file in the latest version of Adobe Reader. Let me know if you still have trouble.
-Ari
Please email me the link. Clicking on the link does nothing.
This is AWESOME! Thanks.
http://thesciencepenguin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/handsignals2015.pdf
Thank you, I am a first year teacher this year and am having to teach out of area (I’m trained at the middle/ high school and am going to be teaching Grade 5!) One of my colleagues sad he used hand signals in his class last year and it really worked, so I wanted to try it. This has just made the never ending list of things I need to do a little shorter!
Good luck this year. 🙂
Would you consider adding a sign for getting a drink? For instance a raised pinky (a la tea time).
Can you send me the link for your signs? I can;t download them.
Thanks : )
Kristie
Hi, I couldn’t download the picture.?
Try going here. 🙂
http://thesciencepenguin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/handsignals2015.pdf
We use a similar approach but use actual ASL signs (MS Science class)
A = I have an ANSWER to a question
I = I need more INFORMATION or have a question
C = COMMENT (I can add something to the topic)
We do NOT use pencil or bathroom signs since students are to take care of these before we start class or wait until we are doing independent work.
I like these ideas.