Ask Three...

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Home : 2003 : March : 29

Ask Three...
By Sharon D. W-L

I agree with Kimberly. Say it once, tell them twice (maybe) Model it! Model it! Model it! Very important to show them what you want done. Ask if there are any questions before they begin.

I have the Ask Three
Before Me Policy. After instructions are given if a child comes to the teacher with a question which I've already answered I'll ask "Did you ask Three Before Me?" If they say no I tell them to ask three classmates for help (not friends). If they say yes I'll ask who and then I make a big deal in front of the whole class that 4 people in grade one don't know what to do! Very, very dangerous

to have that many students not knowing the directions. I make everyone stop and put hands on their heads if they're listening... It is very dramatic and a bit silly!

Then I ask the student to ask his/her question and have those who think they can help put up their hand. The student who is lost picks a person to explain. We all LISTEN! If the directions are correct we repeat them together once more. I'll say something like "Thank heavens someone was listening!" If no one can actually help then obviously my instructions were not very clear so I review my expectations once more for everyone and apologize for being unclear the first time!

If you do this at the beginning of the year, you should only have to act silly a few times before they really do help each other out or become better listeners. I watch for this and praise the helping. Sometimes verbally or maybe with a sicker or a CBG (caught being good paper award. You can get stickers for these too.)

You could also use the Quiet As A Mouse. I have used paper mice cut outs but one teacher used a stuffed toy mouse she had. While the students are working walk around and place the toy or the paper mouse by the people who are working as quiet as a mosue. The mouse can sit with that person/table for a few minutes while they work well.

With the paper mice they can sign their name and put it on a wall to show who has been working quietly. After a while send these home.

There is also the mystery walker where you pick one or two students before you leave the room and award them upon return if they are quiet during the walk (to and fro...) I was just thinking you could have the same thing for mystery workers.

If it is a group problem you might use a popcorn project as I liked to call it. Take a small jar and each time you feel the class deserves it put in one, two or three scoops of popcorn. You could also remove scoops if you like althought the first time through I don't do that. Anyways when the jar is full they can have a reward. Movie and popcorn comes to mind! Or maybe extra playground time, Gym time, free time or additional centre time.

I think there are books out there called Now Hear This for various grade levels. You give each student a picture and the teacher gives verbal directions that the students have to listen to and follow.

Hope this helps. sdwl