Students make air quotes to express that they can paraphrase what they've just heard. The 'build upon' signal consists of placing one fist on top of the other to represent the idea of 'building.' Students use this to express that they have something to say that will add to a classmate's idea.

When students disagree with a statement that they've just heard or need to hear more so that they can follow the speaker's reasoning, they hold up a single index finger to express that they have a 'point of interest.' 'I have something to add.' When a student hears a strategy or solution path that matches his thinking, he makes the 'me, too' sign, acknowledging his classmate's reasoning, expressing that he had a similar idea, and communicating his understanding of what has been shared. The 'me, too' symbol, derived from the ASL sign with the same meaning, is popular in American classrooms as an outlet for enthusiastic agreement. During discourse, visible and nonintrusive signals provide instant feedback for peers and valuable insight for teachers about students' moment-to-moment reasoning and comprehension of the content being discussed. But teachers can look to nonverbals for more than classroom management. In many classrooms, students use nonverbals to communicate certain thoughts when teachers introduce hand signals for bathroom breaks, 'quiet' signals, and silent cheers. Many of the thoughts that pass through students' minds would be of great value for their teachers to know, but opportunities to hear them can feel few and far between.

One of the greatest challenges in teaching a classroom of diverse learners is determining what students are thinking and how they are feeling about the concepts being introduced or processed. How can you explain your thinking in a respectful way that is helpful and not hurtful to your group? The Power of Nonverbals Is it OK to tell your group what you noticed? You've been told that it's disrespectful to argue. Everyone else seems to have come to the same conclusion about a number pattern, but you've noticed a point where their reasoning goes wrong.

Later, you're working in a group with your friends.

Hand signals meaning