Making Statements vs. Asking Questions
ByI hear the teacher next door shouting:
“Why are we not in our seats?”
Sometimes it pays to think of the end before the beginning–what result do you want? Are your actions leading to that result? How can you change them so that they do?
Asking a question to students like that sets you up for failure. The true answer would be ‘Because we want to goof off!’
But you are not really looking for the truth, you are looking to get your classroom under control. So the solution is not to ask a question, but to make a statement:
“Get in your seats!” (In my classroom, this situation is not likely to arise, procedures are in place way before this as prevention).
Nonetheless, asking questions in regards to classroom discipline sound weak because they are weak. Make statements about what you want, don’t open yourself up to silly answers or manipulation.
Practice changing all of these kinds of questions you ask into statements.
Best of skill,
Craig Seganti
