Why should I do it:

• Creates a working relationship with student without calling attention to the student in a negative manner
• Is discrete and quick
• Saves class and instruction time
• Makes students more comfortable and likely to participate and be involved
• Easy to do and effective
• Improves and builds student confidence and self-esteem

When should I do it:

• When a student is losing attention and focus during times of instruction or independent work
• As a form of redirection from misbehavior, talking, off task behaviors, etc
• When a student has problems talking in front of the class
• When a student does not participate or volunteer
• When a student is not following classroom/school procedures
• When a student does something good, correct, successfully, etc

How do I do it:

• Meet with student individually to identify with student how you and they should communicate in a special way
• Have student, as much as possible, pick the sign to use
• Practice with the student and explain when you notice they might need some re-focus, you will show them the sign
• Set up a cue with a student for when they would like to participate, volunteer, or when they will be called on to do so or speak or read in front of the class
• Use cues like smiles, thumbs up, shaking head “yes”, etc to praise students for correct behaviors, participation, volunteering, etc, or to reassure them and encourage them
• Use simple cues like shaking head “no”, raising eyebrows, giving a “one minute” finger signal, etc to redirect students, give directives, etc

Resources & Support for technique:
(Items with footnotes link to external websites)

• Maintain a Quiet Classroom Without Having to Say a Word ¹
• How to Develop Non-Verbal Cues for Classroom Management ²
• Non-Verbal Cues For Procedures ³
• Non Verbal Cues: Learn How To Use Them Effectively In Teacher Student Communication ⁴
• UF Researcher: Teachers’ Nonverbal Clues Affect Students’ Performance ⁵
• How To Use Non Verbal Communication In The Classroom ⁶
• Non Verbal Communication: Actions Speak Louder Than Words! ⁷
• Non Verbal Cues: Learn How To Use Them Effectively In Teacher Student Communication ⁸
• Classroom Management – Putting Into Action Non-Verbal Signals ⁹
• Center For Nonverbal Studies ¹⁰
• Nonverbal Communication Classroom Activities ¹¹
• How to Use Non-Verbal Communication Effectively ¹²
• How to Use Nonverbal Communication in Teaching ¹³
• Types of Nonverbal Communication That Use Cues ¹⁴
• How to Use Nonverbal Techniques in the Classroom ¹⁵
• Classroom Activity for Nonverbal Communication ¹⁶
• Effective Communication Tips for the Classroom ¹⁷
• Verbal & Non-Verbal Communications in the Classroom ¹⁸

Footnotes:

1. Lewis, B. Maintain a Quiet Classroom Without Having to Say a Word: Student Discipline Strategies That Save Your Sanity. [http://k6educators.about.com/cs/classroommanageme3/a/nonverbalmethod.htm].
2. Schreiner, E. How to Develop Non-Verbal Cues for Classroom Management. [http://www.ehow.com/how_6011545_develop-non_verbal-cues-classroom-management.html].
3. Weisner, K. Non-verbal Cues for Procedures. [http://www.marvinmarshall.com/discipline-answers/signing-classroom-routines.php].
4. classroom-management-success. Non Verbal Cues: Learn How To Use Them Effectively In Teacher Student Communication. [http://www.classroom-management-success.org/non-verbal-cues.html].
5. Harmel, K. (1999). UF Researcher: Teachers’ Nonverbal Clues Affect Students’ Performance. [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/01/990122130911.htm].
6. Hammond, K. How to Use Nonverbal Communication in the Classroom. [http://www.ehow.com/how_7451827_use-nonverbal-communication-classroom.html].
7. Priceless-Teaching-Strategies. Non Verbal Communication. Actions Speak Louder Than Words!!. [http://www.priceless-teaching-strategies.com/non_verbal_communication.html].
8. classroom-management-success. Non Verbal Cues: Learn How To Use Them Effectively In Teacher Student Communication. [http://www.classroom-management-success.org/non-verbal-cues.html].
9. Perez, S. Classroom Management – Putting Into Action Non-Verbal Signals. [http://ezinearticles.com/?Classroom-Management—Putting-Into-Action-Non-Verbal-Signals&id=991772].
10. center-for-nonverbal-studies.org. Center For Nonverbal Studies. [http://center-for-nonverbal-studies.org].
11. Blanc, G. Nonverbal Communication Classroom Activities. [http://www.ehow.com/list_7566655_nonverbal-communication-classroom-activities.html].
12. Demand Media, Inc. How to Use Non-Verbal Communication Effectively. [http://www.ehow.com/how_2054159_use-nonverbal-communication-effectively.html].
13. Wainwright, N. (2011). How to Use Nonverbal Communication in Teaching. [http://www.ehow.com/how_7891952_use-nonverbal-communication-teaching.html].
14. Cox, C. A. (2011). Types of Nonverbal Communication That Use Cues. [http://www.ehow.com/info_8051171_types-nonverbal-communication-use-cues.html].
15. Johnson, C. How to Use Nonverbal Techniques in the Classroom. [http://www.ehow.com/how_7622977_use-nonverbal-techniques-classroom.html].
16. Moore, K. C. Classroom Activity for Nonverbal Communication. [http://www.ehow.com/info_7985193_classroom-activity-nonverbal-communication.html].
17. Peterson, S. Effective Communication Tips for the Classroom. [http://www.ehow.com/way_5171235_effective-communication-tips-classroom.html].
18. Pickett, T. Verbal & Non-Verbal Communications in the Classroom. [http://www.ehow.com/list_7669805_verbal-nonverbal-communications-classroom.html].