Being able to use a simple gesture of raising your hand allows for the teacher to get the attention of the students without having to raise their voice to alter the classroom environment. This strategy helps students be independent because it allows the students to be observant to what is going on and to create self-discipline amongst the students. It benefits teachers because it allows them to apply the expectations that were set at the beginning of the year for students. Allowing students finish their thoughts before responding allows for them to get whatever they were writing or talking about on paper and to allow the student to shift their focus on the teacher.

The Curriculum Department has given me permission to skip this discussion.

Using hand signals really works.

The raised hand signal gets the students attention without yelling at them. When teachers have to constantly yell over students it creates a negative tone in the classroom. The students benefit form this technique because they don't have to be facing the teachers to be aware for the signal and they're given a few moments to finish their thoughts. the teacher benefits because it sets an expectation for the students and she is given their full attention. Its important to let the students to finish their thoughts so that they don't "lose it" and so that they can fully focus on the teacher.

I love utilizing this strategy when visiting classrooms to make a presentation. So powerful especially when students take it upon themselves "to police themselves".