ABSTRACT
By fifth grade, it seems that students would have learned to raise their hands in class. Ask any 5th-grade teacher, however, and you will hear that they have not. Regardless of the grade level, students must be taught the act of raising hands to speak in class. You can train them to raise their hands—without “ohhh, ohhhh, ohhhhs” and foot stamps—simply by not calling on or acknowledging them and, instead, calling on the student whose hand is raised properly. When naming that student, state why he or she is being chosen: “Thank you, Troy, for raising your hand quietly. What was one of the causes of the fight between the Hydra and Hercules?” Do not call on or acknowledge someone who is acting inappropriately so that you do not reinforce the inappropriate behavior.
