#4 Check students have heard you instructions

Are your students really listening to you?

Hello, and welcome to the Tips for Teachers newsletter. For over 400 ideas to try out the very next time you step into the classroom, check out my Tips for Teacher book.

💡 A quick tip to try in class this week 💡

Have you ever set students off on a task, only to find a few minutes in that some students are not doing what you asked them to? Of course you have! This can be solved by checking for understanding, not of subject content as we usually do, but of the how we want students to complete an activity. 

One way to do this is to say: 

Okay, I am about to explain to you what I want you to do next. After I have explained the task, I am going to ask someone here to tell me what I want you all to do. So, you had better be listening.

And then Cold Call a student or two to ensure they understand.

If the instructions are more complicated, it is a good idea to give students an opportunity to explain the instructions to their partner and listen back to their partner’s explanation. This gives students an opportunity to verbalise their understanding and get feedback before Cold Calling.

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📺 A video to discuss with a colleague 📺

Jamie Thom explains why and how we should celebrate the quieter students in our classroom. 

If the video doesn't play when you click on it, click here

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👂 A podcast episode to listen to on your way home 👂

English teacher, Mark Roberts, shares his five tips:

1. Use Post-it notes to find out what they don’t understand

2. Use non-verbal gestures for better behaviour management 

3. Don’t give negative managerial feedback 

4. Stop talking about grades 

5. Rephrase to amaze 

Listen to the podcast here.

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😎 Final bits and bobs 😎

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