Are the kids even listening?

It all happened on Thursday.  

The class was quiet,

looking at me

and ready to hear the next set of directions.

 

 "What I need you to do is go to your desk,

take out your writing journal

and put the date at the top."  

 

I called on Kid A to repeat the directions.  

He didn't know them.  

So I called on Kid B.  

He didn't know them.  

Neither did Kid C, D or E.  

Finally, Kid F knew what to do.  

 

So I went back to Kid A

so he could repeat the directions

now that he heard them again.  

He didn't know them!  

Neither did Kid B!

 

Kid C did!  

Sooo I went back to Kid B a third time

and he knew them!!!  

 

WOW!  

Listening is something we are really going to work on.  

I wanted to share a few things

I'm trying and some new ideas for this upcoming week.

#1 - The above scenario is one listening technique

I use often.

Call on a kid for an answer.

If they don't know,

move on until you find someone who

does know the answer.

Then go back to everyone who missed

the answer and they have to

give the correct answer.

 

#2 - Tell your partner the directions.

I'm going to try this next week.

After I give directions,

I'm going to have everyone get up

and tell their partner the directions.

I'll give everyone a partner ahead of time.

Maybe we will keep the partners for a week or two.

I know it will take a minute for everyone

to get up and talk, but I think

my kids will like the movement.

 

#3 - Say the directions once.

Our students (and even my own kids)

are used to everything being said numerous times.

Try saying it once.

 

As all of this was happening last week,

I received this article in my email.

Perfect timing!

Say What? 5 Ways to Get Students to Listen | Edutopia

Check it out.

There are a few other ideas.

 

Sometimes a new seating arrangement can help.

I try to get the non-listeners to the front.

Ryan agrees with the idea!

So tell me,

how do you make sure everyone is listening?