At the beginning of each quarter, I want to set aside time in my classroom to come up with classroom norms with the students. Over time, they can make any adjustments to previous norms or add more norms.

These norms are also consistently referred to, and posted across the classroom. They're especially crucial during discussions where students may feel most vulnerable.

Otherwise known as non-verbal communication, tactile learning involves activities that are not purely verbal or frontal learning. This may include learning stations that offer instructional videos, activities, projects, and infographics that help students learn about the material in a more hands-on manner.

It’s common for teachers to call parents when there are issues with certain students, but it can also be helpful to call home when there is positive news. Not only will this be appreciated by parents, but it will create positive reinforcement for the students.

Hand gesture, start nonverbally counting down from 5. Once it gets to 0, turn your hand around and start counting up. This time, if students are not done with their discussions, they're expected to stay after. For example, if you got to 15 fingers, 15 seconds it is.

This gives students some time to wrap up their conversations, while also incentivizing them to do it within a timely manner to avoid staying after class.

Targeting a student like this will either: isolate/ostracize them, or goad them on honestly. It also creates a hostile classroom environment, and works against building a brave space for students to engage in discourse.

Instead of punishing the whole class, it can help to gently call out students who are misbehaving by engaging them back into the class topic. This can be a question such as, “Do you have a question?” or “Do you need help?” instead of disparaging the student for misbehaving.

Equity cards are by-far my favorite mode of calling on students and getting to know them. Have the students fill out name cards at the beginning of the quarter, and on the back of the index card, have them include their: name pronunciation, pronouns, any seating necessities (eg. sitting in the front because of vision), and a random fact about themselves.

Using equity cards instead of calling on kids who raise their hands allows for an equitable classroom in which we hear from all students. Even 'random' selection is not random and can be based off of the teacher's biases.