Non-Verbal SignalsDescription
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Non-Verbal Signals are quick and informative response actions performed by students. The use of these signals can prevent unnecessary disruptions, allowing the teacher to maintain lesson momentum. The signals also can be utilized to check for student understanding, permitting the teacher to accurately diagnose student misunderstanding at key moments during a lesson. Non-Verbal Signals is a practice that teachers can use to efficiently manage student requests as well as increase student participation.
- Identify simple non-verbal signals that students will use.
- Inform students of the reasons why signals will be used and what each signal signifies.
- Introduce and model each signal.
- Allow time for students to practice using the signals.
- Post signals, and implement signals immediately and consistently.
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Alerts
Signals themselves can be a cause for disruption. Therefore, make sure signals are purposeful and recognizable, but subtle enough not to distract the whole class.
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Quick Tips
Plan ahead about how to respond to misunderstandings. Keep notes and determine which misunderstandings are appropriate to address during and after the lesson.
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Other Strategies
Hand Signals
Students communicate their level of understanding by using their hands or fingers such as Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down and Fist to Five.
Props
Props are objects that students can use in the classroom in lieu of physical signals. For example, students may raise a pencil to denote the need to sharpen his or her pencil.
Response Cards
Dry-erase boards, index cards or colored-coded signs that are held up simultaneously by all students to indicate their response to a problem or question.
