Do you ever get tired of students asking questions before they have even read the directions? Are you looking for a classroom management strategy to help students become more independent? Then keep reading!
This year I have a group of overly cautious students.
They are convinced that they need help immediately.
Last week I passed out a differentiated activity with a checklist. This is a classroom management strategy I use for differentiation and each group has their own set of directions. Everything was written meticulously written out and explained for students. But, the moment they received their paper, their hands shot up into the air with questions. At first, I answered the questions, but then I found myself repeating the question “What do the directions say?”
I decided that I needed a better classroom management strategy for the next class. When my next group arrived, I told them that I would set a timer for 5 minutes.
In those 5 minutes they could use their notes and ask each other for help, but I would not answer any questions.
At first, they all panicked and wanted help. I stayed strong and just pointed to the clock.
And – miracle of miracles! – they started to read the directions and ask each other for help!!!
By the time the buzzer went off, there were only a few questions that were actually curricular-related as opposed to I-don’t-feel-like-reading-the-directions-myself questions.
At the end of class, I made sure to praise my students for working so independently.
“See! I know you could do it!” I said. “You just needed to give yourself permission to stop, think, and rely on your own brilliance!”
