LMG: Spotlight on Education- Teacher Tip

Going Against Those Natural Instincts

Teaching is one of the only professions that often requires us to go against our natural instincts. This multi-part blog series will focus on how to recognize when this happens and what to do to maintain your classroom management system.

Problem: Students calling out during class

What's your first instinct when someone asks you a question?

Our natural instinct is to answer a question when someones asks one...think about it. When you're NOT in the classroom, that's how conversations usually happen, right. Someone asks a question + someone answers = conversation.

Not in the classroom!

Teachers want their students to ask questions...at the appropriate time, but students want instant gratification. This leads to the "calling out" question. It seems innocent at first. You probably think it's easier to just answer a quick question and move on.

Wrong Answer!

It goes against your natural instinct, but answering even one "innocent" question can lead to a classroom management breakdown.

Consistency Matters...

Rather than answering, now's the time to reiterate all your Expectations, Procedures & Routines.

• Finger to your lips while raising your own hand

• A predetermined signal that's a part of your classroom procedures

• A reminder that there will be time for questions soon

  • Set a timer

  • Set times during lessons

Even the most experienced teachers can struggle

When I was a principal, one of my most experienced teachers came to me for help with a 7th grade math class. She was struggling, for the first time, to finish her lessons during the period. I offered to come sit in on the class and observe.

I sat in the back and simply counted how many times students called out a question and the teacher answered. 37! She was shocked, but understood how something that seemed so innocent could end up impacting student learning.

LMG knows how much YOU want to succeed in the classroom