Here are some great ideas that will help any teacher- some are geared for the elementary grades

1.  Set an expectation and be consistent with the way we desire responses from the students.
   - raise hand
   -random answers called out loud
   
   One of the things we do as teachers is allow both responses and not communicate which ones we are looking for.  Frustration sets in because we are not getting the desired behavior out of our class.
   
   The hardest thing for me to watch is when a teacher asks a question then accepts when child A calls out without hand raising- then when another, child B calls out, child B gets reminded to raise their hand. 
   
   I think if we simply give hand signals, we can get the desired type of response and keep a positive atmosphere.
   -When I am asking a question, I raise my hand when we want the class to raise their hands.
   -I use two palms up when I accept any random response called out.
   
   
   
2. Use sign language more to communicate with our students to bring the attention in, or in a setting where we should not encourage talking but we are looking for a specific behavior. (Assemblies, hallway, etc.)
   
   ALSO, this is very helpful in the middle of instruction.
   Sometimes the child needs something and can sign it without having to disrupt the class, they can sign it while you look and you can sign back while still instructing.
   
   Such as a sign for "Bathroom" and the teacher can sign "yes" or "no" and never skip a beat during the instruction.
   
   (yes, no, wait a minute)
   - finger to lips for quiet
   -thank you sign
   -thumbs up
   -stop   sign
   -sit
   -stand
   -eyes on me
   -listen
   -if a child needs to go to the bathroom
   -yes, no
   -criss cross applesauce if someone’s sitting but not in someone else’s space
   - walk (this is great for the hallway – b/c then YOU the teacher aren’t using YOUR voice but can still model no sound while still getting the expected behavior)
   
   
3. Allow the children to sit on their bottoms in their own space, but not drill the criss cross applesauce- if or a lengthy period of time
   - even we as adults get fidgety sitting the same way for a long period of time
   -criss cross can hurt the knees …you try it!
4. Save an idea
   “Cross  your fingers if you have an idea…”
   
   - If you are instructing and you ask the kids to think of an idea but are not ready for the response, have them cross their fingers to “hold” the idea or to remember it until you are ready for them to share it or apply the idea
   
   This way the children don’t have their hands up for a long period of time.
   
   This is also great if you are instructing, have the children share a little, but need to go on…then they get to “save” it to share later if you are able to get back to it.  That way they don’t feel like you are dismissing them without the opportunity to share
5. Allow the wiggler some wiggle room.
   I have restless leg syndrome.  I think my daughter may have it, she has to move her legs around a lot when she is trying to settle down to sleep.  But, maybe she is just a wiggler.
   I know some periods of time throughout the day are not appropriate as others.  But if you see a child is restless (and doesn't need to use the bathroom) it may be beneficial to allow that student to go stand in the back of the room.  Maybe their legs need a stretch, maybe they need to rock back and forth.  Sometimes, that's all that student may need to be able to focus.
   But constantly fighting the wiggler to sit still can make it a tough day - on both of you.