Hacks and Tricks for the ASL Classroom

We all need some tips and tricks to save us time in the classroom. Here are some great ideas to organize the classroom and save you some time.

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Tap Lights

A great hack for the classroom is to use tap lights to manage talking in the classroom. Tap lights can help with noise control and let students know when the voice should be on or off. Communicate with students your expectations for talking and then push the light to signal which level you are expecting. You can get a set of 3 lights for under $15. They run on batteries which can be a downfall but the lights are LED so they will last forever. The perk is that this particular tap light set comes with magnetic strips so you can attach them to your whiteboard. Use phrases like “Silent” “Table talk” or “Group discussion.”

You can get the FREE signage here. And the tap lights here.

Noise Down

On the same note as Noise Level, try an app that will sound an alarm if talking in the room gets to be too loud. Apple users can try Noise Down while Android users can try Sound Meter. These apps will give you some objectives with sound in the classroom. Use with the tap lights above to make for a great combo.

Red Light, Green Light

Laminate small squares of red, yellow and green construction paper. Place one of each color at each student’s desk. Red represents that a student is confused and does not understand. Yellow means that a student somewhat has it but needs more time. Green means that a student understands it and the lesson should move forward. This is a way students can rate their learning. This will avoid constant stops during the lesson allowing a teacher to glance around the room and see where students are with the learning.

Binder Clips

Use binder clips as a way to hold table numbers or station centers. Binder clips can also be used to label shelves so you can easily change them out when you rearrange the room or get a new class.

File Folders

Use color-coded file folders as a way to organize files by language level. Use green for ASL 1, blue for ASL 2, red for ASL 3, and yellow for ASL 4.

You can also use plain file folders as shields during testing. Have students place 2 on their desk to shield the written test or a computer screen. This will not 100% stop cheating, however, it will help.

Assign Numbers

Assign numbers to your students that match your role sheet. Students should write their number on every assignment they turn in, paper or digital. This will help you alphabetize the work easier and save you tons of time inputting grades.

Learn fun number games for your classroom here.

Shoe Boxes

Plastic shoe box size containers are a great way to organize all of your learning supplies. You can use them for virtually anything. I use them to store dice, paper cubes, colored pencils, decks of cards, scissors, and glue sticks. There are a number of other things you can use to store in these handy containers. Buy a bunch at one time to save money.

Window Stickys

If you are someone who likes to hang things in their classroom windows but really don’t like to have the tape show, here is a tutorial for you. Try making these glue stickys and hang student work in your window. I have not tried these myself but I hear they are awesome. You can buy the glue here.

I hope these tips save you time and get you organized.