It’s demoralizing. You plan a great lesson. You give it your enthusiastic best. But your students don’t respond well. At all. They’re distracted and sleepy. They’re bored and slouched in their seats. They’re uninspired and blase’ about what you have to teach them. When … Read more
Do you ever get the feeling your students aren’t hearing a word you say? They may be quiet. They may be looking at you. But you know they’re not actually listening. Maybe it’s the blank expressions. Maybe it’s the sighs and yawns. Maybe it’s … Read more
There are those who believe you should never tell a student who volunteers an answer that they’re wrong. And I certainly understand why. It can be embarrassing for them. It can feel like a rejection. It can discourage them from sharing again in the … Read more
Here at SCM, we receive a lot of questions about how to teach lessons that capture student interest. And for good reason. The ability to get your students to want to listen and pay attention plays a critical role in curbing misbehavior. It also … Read more
Last week’s article was about how just three words can improve listening. The phrase “in a moment” keeps students from moving on while you’re giving directions. It keeps them rooted in the present and tuned in until the end. This week, we’re going to … Read more
It’s most noticeable when giving directions. And it’s so, so frustrating. You can actually see it happening right in front of you. As soon as your students think they understand what you’re asking of them, they mentally check out. They stop listening. They turn … Read more
The ability to ask for and receive your students’ attention is crucial. It’s crucial because it saves precious learning time. It improves listening and performance. It allows you to give instruction anytime you need to and know that it will be heard and understood. … Read more
It’s common for teachers to bemoan the state of listening in their classroom. “Sometimes I feel like I’m talking to myself.” “I say it over and over again, and they still don’t get it.” “It’s almost as if they’ve completely tuned me out.” But … Read more