Teaching students to raise their hand and wait for the teacher to call on them is an essential skill in fostering a structured and respectful classroom environment. In this blog post, we will discuss an easy-to-implement, no-prep activity that educators can use to reinforce this concept. We will also provide discussion questions to further engage students and explore related skills that can benefit their overall learning experience.

Introduction

Learning to raise one’s hand and wait for the teacher to call on them is a crucial aspect of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) that promotes self-regulation, patience, and respect for others. This skill helps students understand the importance of following classroom rules and taking turns to speak, which in turn creates a more inclusive and harmonious learning environment. By teaching students to raise their hand and wait, educators can effectively manage classroom discussions and ensure that all students have an opportunity to participate.

No-Prep Activity: “Raise, Wait, and Share”

This simple, no-prep activity can help reinforce the skill of raising one’s hand and waiting for the teacher to call on them. The “Raise, Wait, and Share” activity does not require any materials or preparation from the educator, making it an ideal impromptu teaching tool.

1. Begin by explaining the rules of the activity to the students: they must raise their hand and wait for the teacher to call on them before sharing their answer or opinion.
2. Ask a question that requires students to think critically or reflect on their personal experiences. This can be related to the current lesson or a more general topic that encourages students to share their thoughts.
3. Once students raise their hands, wait a few seconds to give everyone a chance to participate. Then, call on a student to share their answer or opinion.
4. After the student has shared, praise them for following the rules of raising their hand and waiting to be called on. Encourage other students to do the same.
5. Continue the activity by asking additional questions and calling on different students to ensure everyone has an opportunity to practice the skill.

By regularly incorporating this activity into classroom discussions, students will become more accustomed to raising their hand and waiting for the teacher’s permission to speak.

Discussion Questions

These discussion questions can help stimulate further conversations about the importance of raising one’s hand and waiting to be called on:

• Why is it important to raise your hand and wait for the teacher to call on you before speaking?
• How does raising your hand and waiting to be called on show respect for others in the classroom?
• Can you think of a time when you felt proud of yourself for raising your hand and waiting to be called on? How did it make you feel?
• What challenges might you face when trying to raise your hand and wait to be called on? How can you overcome these challenges?
• How can practicing this skill contribute to a positive classroom environment?

Related Skills

Teaching students to raise their hand and wait to be called on is just one aspect of Social-Emotional Learning. Other related skills that can benefit students in the classroom include:

• Active listening: Encouraging students to listen attentively to their peers and the teacher, and to show understanding through nonverbal cues, such as nodding or maintaining eye contact.
• Respecting personal space: Teaching students to be aware of their own and others’ personal space, and to maintain a comfortable distance when interacting with classmates.
• Collaborative problem-solving: Fostering teamwork and cooperation among students by providing opportunities for group work and discussions that require collaboration and compromise.
• Developing empathy: Encouraging students to understand and share the feelings of others, and to demonstrate compassion and support for their classmates.

Next Steps

If you’re interested in exploring more strategies and activities to teach essential Social-Emotional Learning skills, including raising one’s hand and waiting to be called on, sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. By incorporating these resources into your teaching practice, you can help create a more inclusive and respectful learning environment for all students.