I use effective verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support student understanding, participation, engagement and achievement.
To gain students attention at the beginning of each day I stand at the front of the classroom with my hands on my head. Students know that they need to have their books, diaries and pencil cases ready to start the lesson. Once they have this ready they too sit with their hands on their heads. There are sticker charts on the front wall and the first table group ready gets a star sticker.
If I want to gain the students attention during the lesson I will say, ‘pens and pencils down, eyes this way.’ The students know to put everything out of their hands and look my way. I raise my hand and expect them to do the same so that I know that they are looking and listening. This ensures that students do not miss out on instructions.
When students participate in group work we also have certain verbal and non-verbal communication so that students understand how to work within a group. This also allows them to have a certain role in that group. This helps the group to work well together where everyone is engaged and participates. See the task below which explicitly outlines group roles.
Stephanie Rodert 