Classroom Management Tips-4

Part IV: Be Specific

In Classroom management tips-3, I discussed the connection between student confusion and classroom management. Another way teachers can reduce student confusion is by "being specific" with their directions.

For example, there is a big difference between these two statements:

"Take a few minutes to answer the questions."

And...

"Take 3 minutes to write down answers to questions 1 through 5 on your own."

See the difference.

Now, of course, the next step would be to check-for-understanding (classroom management tips-3) by simply having a student repeat back the directions.

Actually, I would have one student repeat back how much time the students have to complete the task, another student to repeat which questions they are going to answer, and I would ask a third student who they were allowed to work with on the assignment.

Speaking of being specific, did you notice that I attached a very specific time limit to the task? This is important. Whenever you put students on a particular task make sure to attach a very specific time limit. In other words, you are putting your students "on-the-clock".