In my classroom, I've always used finger signals for the kids who need to get up and get a pencil, go to the bathroom, etc. In the past, I've just used 1 finger and 2 fingers, but I thought this year I would try to go for all five. It's one of my favorite management techniques. Also, I don't believe in limiting the kids too much on bathroom breaks (I wouldn't want someone telling me I couldn't go when I needed to go!) I can tell pretty quickly which kids like to abuse the privilege, and I always talk to those kids about excessive breaks during independent time turning into 5 minutes working during recess time. It nips that in the bud pretty quick! But most of all, I love not having to verbally acknowledge the kids' needs--they can just get up and go and we can keep going.
I also talk to the kids about times when they CAN'T go: when I am doing a whole-group lesson, when they have an assignment that is being timed, etc. Even then, if they try to go when I'm teaching, I just have to shake my head.
Great little tool, but I've never put up posters before. I created some simple ones to go with my black, white, green, and pink scheme. The pictures are from Discovery Kids.
Finger Signals
It says that we don't have access to the document. I think all you have to do is click on the "Share" button and then change it from private to public. I can't wait to use these!
ReplyDeleteAdrienne
Wiggins World
Should be fixed with Scribd now!
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