Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Addressing Off Task Comments



What do you do when kids raise their hand and say something off-topic?

1)    Don’t sweat it. At first, kids do this ALL THE TIME. (Teacher: “SO CLASS, hands up: what was the climax of the story!?  Student called on: Can I blow my nose?)
2)    To respond to the comment, say something very curt, with a straight face and immediately move on, either with the lesson or to call on another willing student: “Off task. Who is ready to answer the class question?” “That seems like a private question. OK, moving on!” “Wait, pause that… sorry, but I’m not interested in hearing about your video game right now. Can another student make a connection between the story and real life?” Most students will be mildly embarrassed by the lack of acknowledgement from the teacher and will come to change their ways.

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