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Ok, as promised, here's a thread of my top 15 non-verbal gestures for effective behaviour management:
1. A much neglected oldie, best used when only one or two pupils are still talking:
2. Wiggle that earlobe when you see a rogue off-tasker:
3. A gentle side to side headshake, which says "don't even think about doing what you're thinking of doing":
4. This is more forceful and vigorous than no. 3. It says immediately desist:
5. A single finger waved up and down places them in their seat, like a puppet on a string:
6. Best used as they enter the class in a hyper mood, two hands waving downwards says, "get ready to learn":
7. A universal sign of praise. Ideal for peer-influenced boys who prefer quiet positive acknowledgement:
8. Like in a game of charades, your book sign gets them thinking of reading:
9. Hold an imaginary pen betwixt your thumb and index finger and scribble furiously:
10. As you circulate, direct students back on task with a brisk few taps on their exercise book:
11. Take on the role of traffic cop and get them performing a u-turn then facing your way:
12. Think football referee signalling to a timewasting player. Get a move on or you're going in my book!
13. Ideally accompanied with a theatrical step backwards, this signals to a noisy class that you've had enough of waiting:
14. A teacher's thousand yard stare. Best saved for particularly irksome behaviour:
15. A playground classic. Come my way now, young man/lady:
16. A little bonus gesture, which needs more explanation than an image. Instead of saying "I'm going to give a warning in a minute", just walk over to the board and silently write WARNINGS on it. Underline with a flourish for additional emphasis.
All of these save your voice but most importantly, depersonalise things which helps avoid confrontation. They also generally rob poorly behaving children of the attention they often crave.
Get those gestures going! END
Get those gestures going! END
