Simple Hand Signals that Work in the Classroom

Have you ever used hand signals in the classroom or in your homeschool?  If not, you are missing out on an amazing nonverbal classroom management technique that can truly change the dynamic of your day.  And did I mention they are non-verbal?

You know I’m a huge proponent of discussion to engage your kids and keep them on-task.  However, discussion isn’t always appropriate in specific situations.  And that’s where hand signals come into play.

When I first began using classroom hand signals, I was the ELA teacher in third grade.  To create consistency and alleviate confusion for the kiddos, all of the third grade teachers used the same ones.  We had classroom hand signals printable posters on the wall in each of our rooms to remind the kids (and mostly us) of each one.

After the first couple of weeks, the kids were using these silent signals in all of the classes.  And trust me, it made teaching and classroom management so much simpler for all of us!

Hand Signals for Basic Needs

I’ve always used two different sets of hand signals.  I had the basic needs signals and the interactive signals.  The basic needs signals were the ones my kiddos would hold up for me to see.  We used these consistently in my classroom, and each specific one meant something different…

• Holding up the number 1 means “I need a tissue.”  (This is kind of gross, but think about the nose-pickers and then the number makes sense.)
• Raising crossed fingers means “I need to use the restroom.”  (Think about it like a kiddo crossing their legs when they need to potty.)
• Holding up the number 3 means ”I need water.”  (This is sign language for the letter w.)
• Raising a pencil in the air means ”My pencil needs to be sharpened.”

Just as a quick note, my kids always knew to grab a pencil before class started.  However, occasionally, when completing an activity or writing in their journals, a pencil would break.  I

n this case, the child simply held up the pencil in the air, and I would either bring the child a new one or allow them to get up and get one.  However, if the pencil wasn’t actually broken, they didn’t get a new one.

While these signals were designed for classroom use, they are perfect for your homeschool.  Obviously, if you only have one child, they aren’t necessary, but if you have more than one child (and especially if they like to get out of their seats frequently) you’ll want to start using these. 

I promise, they’ll cut down on the interruptions during your individualized instruction.

Interactive Hand Signals in the Classroom

My favorite interactive hand signals were used during large and small group time to get everyone engaged in the lesson.  These were especially important for my active learners because the movements got their bodies involved in learning.

This is how my kiddos stayed focused.  I would ask a specific question and when a student gave the answer, I’d say, “What do you think, boys and girls?  Do you agree or disagree?”

Then, my students would…

1. Indicate “I agree” by holding up the ASL letter “y” and shaking it back and forth
2. Indicate “I disagree” by crossing their arms in front of their chests and making an x.

My students loved using these!  They were the perfect assessment tools because I could look at the hands and immediately know who knew the answer and who didn’t.  These were also a springboard for interesting conversations and debates about the correct answer.

My Favorite Hand Signal of All

My absolute favorite interactive hand signal was one that my kids used to encourage each other.  Whenever a student was struggling to answer a question, we would use the “keep going” signal. 

This signal is made by forming a fist with each hand, and rotating the fists in a circle in front of your chest.  (Think of it like a boxer hitting a punching bag! )

Sometimes, my kiddos would be encouraging a struggling student before I even had a chance to.  This made my heart so happy because the kids were saying “you can do it” without ever opening their mouths.  I

t was such an encouragement, and it created a wonderful environment while cutting down on classroom behavior issues.

Hand Signal Posters for Classrooms

Because I believe so strongly in the power of hand signals, I knew I needed to create hand signal posters for the classroom. These are designed to coordinate seamlessly with the other items in my Rustic Wood Collection and Rustic Coastal Collection.  

Benefits of Classroom Hand Signals

1. I began noticing fewer disruptions and management issues with my “frequent fliers.”  (You know the ones…the kids whose hands fly up as soon as someone else asks to get a tissue, go to the bathroom, or sharpen a pencil.)
2. My students raised their hands to answer questions or give me a signal.  If I saw a signal, I knew exactly what my student needed.  Thus, I could simply nod or shake my head without ever having to miss a beat teaching.
3. I was able to assess my students’ understanding based on whether they agreed or disagreed with a specific answer.
4. The “keep going” signal created an encouraging classroom environment.

If you add these into your daily routine, you’ll find more benefits than I’ve even listed.  Yes, there’s a learning curve for you and your kiddos, and you might occasionally forget the signals.  (That’s why you have the hand signal posters on the wall!)  

But, I promise if you use these hand signals for classroom management, you’ll reap positive benefits.