I really want my students to raise their hands before speaking. This is difficult to do with such a small room with only 8-9 students. I am tired of repeating myself, “raise your hand” but I will do this if this strategy will work any opinions on the subject or strategies will be taken. Thanks so much….
Re: having students raise their hands
For students who struggle with this, you can initiate using a “peace stick” or whatever name you give it, for taking turns. For this to work, students all need to be in a circle with everyone within easy reach of the object. No one can speak without holding the object in their hand. When they’re done speaking, they return object to the center. It’s the concreteness of this process that appeals to kids who struggle with turn-taking.
With small groups of such kids, I also use a system where we go around the circle so that everyone gets a chance to speak or pass. I like this because it gives slower thinkers a little time. You can continue to go round till everyone’s had something to say. I allow them to contribute just one thought per turn. This way, kids are secure that they WILL get a turn, and in fact as many as they need. Kids who think more slowly know that they can say “Pass” while they listen to others and they’ll get a chance again on the second turn round the group.
Re: having students raise their hands
Through good rapport, exciting classes, and the judicial use of social reinforcers - hand-raising is not terribly difficult to achieve. In my class there were times for hand-raising and times for a free flow - the students were also capable of knowing the whens and wheres of the social situations in the room.
I struggle with this too sometimes because I really like that “free flowing” discussion that can happen when you don’t require them to raise their hands. However, if you think consistent hand raising will make a difference in your classroom you will need to ALWAYS require hand raising and ignore those who call out— ALWAYS. Point out “I like the way you raised your hand first” and remind students that you will ONLY call on those who’s hands are in the air (with no sound effects, jumping or flailing!) I often preface my statements with.. “think about… then raise your hand if you can tell us…” (of course the younger ones raise their hands before I ask the question.) Sometimes it helps to have them stand once they are called on— then they and everyone else knows it’s their turn (and you can hear them better, too).