2-handed raise & music cues

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2003 : July : 1

2-handed raise & music cues
By Chris

This may sound silly, but how about teaching them the 2-handed raise technique? I am also a teacher new to the field and I was told to try this by a seasoned teacher! She demonstrated how to raise their hands: one hand in
the air, the other across their mouth. It's s subtle reminder to "hold that answer in" and not blurt it out before being called on. I learned about it at the end of the year & introduced it with impressive results (I have special ed kids, so impulsivity is a given).
Do you play appropriate music in the background during independent work? You can use the volume of the music as a cue

to the students: If you can't hear the music, then your voices are too loud. Classical music is more appropriate than "kid tunes". They have a tendency to sing along with the latter and therefore are distracted from their work. You can try the same thing for playtime. Here "kid tunes" may be more appropriate or you can find "baby" CD's that are for playtime, naptime, etc. Remember to have a consequence if they get too loud and you better follow through! We had to cut playtime periods short or work in complete silence a few times, but they got the idea. I often found my students self monitoring or monitoring their friends with: I can't hear the music you/we are too loud.
Good luck!