Are you looking for ways to teach students to raise their hand to ask a question? If so, keep reading.
1. Provide mobility to be regularly near the learner when they display appropriate attention-seeking behaviors (e.g., hand-raising).
2. Make sure the learner knows when it is acceptable to interrupt others (e.g., in an emergency).
3. Prior to beginning a learning experience, make sure the learner knows the rules (e.g., wait quietly until the teacher can help, work quietly at your desk, etc.).
4. Get the learner to raise their hand to question any directions, explanations, and instructions they do not understand.
5. Select a peer to model raising their hand when appropriate for the learner.
6. Connect with parents to disseminate information about the learner’s progress. The parents may reinforce the learner at home for raising their hand when appropriate at school.
7. Draft an agreement with the learner stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., raising their hand for teacher assistance) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.
8. Create classroom rules: • Complete every assignment. • Complete assignments quietly. • Request assistance when needed. • Remain in your seat. • Finish tasks. • Meet task expectations. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.
9. Praise the learner for raising their hand when appropriate based on the number of times the learner can be successful. As the learner shows success, slowly increase the number of times required for reinforcement.
10. Converse with the learner to explain (a) what the learner is doing wrong (e.g., talking out, engaging in a behavior without raising their hand to get permission, etc.) and (b) what the learner should be doing (e.g., raising their hand for permission to speak, or move about the room, etc.).
11. Make sure that reinforcement is not provided for unacceptable behavior(e.g., paying attention to the learner only when they blurt out answers without being called on).
12. Praise the learner for raising their hand when appropriate: (a) give the learner a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the learner an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).
13. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
14. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
15. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.
16. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.
