"Children
should feel comfort in their effort to gain independence. The
teachers is a coach throughout the day, guiding, questioning,
pushing -- being everywhere in the classroom. It
is important for the children to be seen by the teacher
at all times and for the children to see the teacher.
The children should feel that they can trust their
teacher. This trust comes from the teacher making herself
available and in them knowing how and when to gain
her attention if needed. Many times it would be easier
for the teacher to dictate and to answer every question
with a simple yes or no, but this would only make the
children more dependent upon as opposed to independent
of the teacher." -- Linda
Kasarjian
Thumbs
Up!
A common signal in
the classroom is "thumbs up" to show that students are
ready.
Head Tapping
"Head tapping" allows
children to let both their peers and the teacher to know
that either they agree with something a classmate has
said or they were going to say the same thing, but were
not called on. This allows children to feel validated
and heard, yet saves time and unnecessary repetition.
Going to
the Bathroom/Getting a Drink of Water
During work time
children can use the bathroom or get water from the faucet
in the classroom by using a sign. The class can
use American Sign Language signals for both. Children
are not permitted to use these 2 signals during rug time
or independent reading. All other times are fine. If
children say their request out loud, without signals,
they will not be able to go.
Students asking to
go to the bathroom and
asking
to get water using American Sign Language.
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