5 Things You Should Say More Often In The Classroom!

Sometimes the smallest things we say and do as teachers can have the biggest impact on children and their learning. More often than not, it is the things that teachers have always said like 'Do you understand?' and 'What is the answer?' that can actually have a negative impact on certain children. By making slight changes to the things we say, we can actually allow children to develop in a far more positive and focused way. Here are our top 5 things you should say more of in the classroom!

​'What might the answer be?'

Instead of asking a child to tell them the answer, ask them 'What might the answer be?' The key word is using the word 'might'. Might tells the children that whatever their answer is, it doesn't matter if it is right or wrong. This gives children, who are unsure of the answer, a chance to risk take and suggest their thoughts without the fear of not getting the correct answer and looking silly.

'Have I explained myself well enough?'

Most teachers finish their instructions for a task with 'Do you understand?'. And of course, some children have the courage to say no or ask further questions. However, not all children are this confident and will not tell you that they need further explanation. We all know that one child who never seems to understand the task. By asking the question 'Have I explained myself well enough?' the responsibility falls back onto the teacher. If 'you' don't understand it is the pupils fault. If 'I' haven't explained myself, it is the teacher fault. Children are much more likely to share their misunderstanding if the ownership is not on them.

'What do you think?'

Who has a child that asks far too many questions in a lesson? 'What do I do next?' etc. It is time to change the mindset that the teacher has all the answers and help children think for themselves. By responding with 'What do you think?', it encourages children to search for an answer themselves. You may have to talk children though the thought process to start off with but give it some time and you will have a class full of independent pupils!

'Yet!'

Yet allows children to develop their growth mindset. 'I can't do it' is a common phrase used by children when they are stuck. getting them to change their mindset by saying 'I can't do it yet!', children will slowly develop an attitude that they can learn as long as they develop resilience and approach to solving difficult challenges.

'Why?'

This is the most important word a teacher has to use in the classroom. Children that can answer a question show a good level of knowledge but do they know why they are correct. Often teachers are satisfied with a shallow level of knowledge. 3 x 3 = 9, Brilliant, time to move on. But does that child know why 3 x 3 is 9? By getting into the habit of asking why after every answer you develop children's thought process on a far deeper level. It develops reasoning and critical thinking skills too!

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