Teacher Talk

If you choose the best words, wisely

You can solve your problems nicely

     Here are some of the best and worst statements that teachers say. Read on to laugh, relate, or find ideas out of desperation.

     During pack up time the class can get a little out of hand, especially when the teacher needs to pass out last minute papers. The students need to be quiet and listen for their names.  Often it is okay to read a book while they wait.  Of course Joe will want to have others notice his book or even read some of it out loud to stir up some attention.

"No one needs to hear your book."

     Many students put their fingers where they shouldn't.  They chew pencils, bite nails, and pick. Even a strand of hair can fascinate them.

"What part of me wants to touch something that has been in your mouth?"

     Students, in their excitement or need for attention tend to think that closer is better.

"Do you like this moving paper in your face? 
That is what you are doing to me."

     Some students seem to have a need for making noises all day long.  It begins to wear the teacher down.

"Are you respecting others and their rights to learn?"
 Will you please write 'respect' and notice the respectful students who are letting you quietly work."

"Unacceptable.  You can bring your stuff and sit right here.  And...do you work.  This is sad."

"This does not require talking."

"What did you say?  I hope I never hear that again!"

"What should I hear right now?"

"Who is making that sound?  This is the second time.  It is disrespectful and rude."

"Own it..."

"Leave the talking for recess."

     Are you ready? 

"If you have time to talk that means you're done."

     The clapping game

Clap once if you can hear me.  Clap twice.

     Caring

"Why is it you care when I say you will lose a minute of recess?"  

"Thank- you for being quiet," 

"but it is just as important to be quiet when the teacher says, 'Please be quiet.'"

"I can't hear Joe and he is just 1, 2, 3, 4 feet away from me. It is his turn."

      A private moment

"'Losing it' is private."  

"Please leave the room for a minute to get control of yourself."

     Shout outs

"Joe.  Hush.  I don't think we need to compete."

"I feel like I am competing with your voices."

"No thank you.  There is no place for outbursts here.."

"Please no shout outs. My ears don't work that way."

"You're shouting.  It is my time to talk."
"Raise your hand if you are quiet."

"Can you please stop?"

"The quiet game begins."
(So the teacher can think and catch her breath...)

     There are times when students need to be so quiet that it seems the only thing heard in the room is the sounds of writing.

"On the count of three, I should only hear pencils."

"Oh, no!  I don't hear pencils. I hear voices."

     Sometimes, for practice, a class can be expected to count or say something together.

"Did I say that just Joe and I were going to count?"
"Your grade is partly based on participation.  It's easy to get an Excellent." 
"That means I see your lips moving!"

     The students like to get the teacher off track and Joe will try to set the class off course.

"Yes we like to deviate, now it's time to concentrate."

"I'm moving on. Joe is staying with me."

     It is important to go over classwork quickly so students can get feedback and know if they are doing something wrong.

"You finished your work just like you should."  

"Now it's time to check it, like a teacher would."

"If you don't have a red pen a crayon will do." 
"Put away your pencil and eraser too."

     Teachers love to give immediate praise.

"Super. Good job."
"That is student of the day behavior!"

"Give yourselves a pat on the back."

"Air high five!"
"Thumbs up!"

"Smart!"

"Awesome!"

But, the best is the celebration dance.

     Suddenly, routines and good behavior will go out the window and the teacher needs to call their attention back.

"Why do we have routines? 
"Is it fun to be late?"  
"Do you like to go back?"

"Are you going to talk while I'm talking?"

     After a realization that a large portion of time has been wasted, while a teacher was getting some materials together or there has been an interruption, it is important to get the cooperation of the class to finish their work or to clean up quickly.  Of course it is fun to make a game of it. As with any game the rules are explained, the expectations are set, and the reward is anticipated. Time is ticking. The teacher does this quickly.

"It is time to show"

"How fast we can... GO!"

     Joe loves surprises.  When he is doing a great job, he needs to be recognized for it.

"It is time to hunt"

"Who did...guess what?"

     Students can feel self-conscious when asked to act or role play.  They might act shy or act up.  A teacher gives students permission to perform.

"Every play practice is real".

"It's a time to act and feel."

      

     Enthusiastic quick votes can unify a class and eliminate a lengthy back and forth discussion.

"Thumbs up if this is what you want to try."
"Thumbs down if you think it will make you cry."

     Teachers teach behavior.  Sometimes a story or fable can lead Joe to recognize his behavior and open his eyes to a way to solve his problem. It is also a way to help the class understand a student that acts or looks differently.

"Once there lived a boy named...''
"One day...." 

     When the teacher gives feedback, individually, it reminds students that they own their education.

"Overall, for today you get a thumbs up.  How does that feel?"

      A teacher is like a she bear protecting her cubs, when it is time for a test.  She quickly goes after anyone who will steal from another student's quiet time to work.

"Quietly, get into test mode... " 

"Joe go to the rug.  Those were simple instructions."  

"IF you think you are ready, come back."

   
     For comprehension, it is helpful for students to restate, in their own words, what they just learned and to apply or connect to it in some way.

"Joe, can you retell the story we just read?"  

 "What lesson was learned?"

     When a teacher notices that Joe is getting sleepy, it is time to get some movement to the air flow in the room.  It is time to put some oxygen into the blood stream.  It is especially fun to speed up a pacer or song, to show emotions, and find some giggles.

"Clap it like me

On...one, two, three." 

     Students are becoming familiar with local and world events. Joe likes to connect these things to his daily school life.

"It is raining outside. What will I need? Why?"

"You are going to learn something.  What will you need?  Why?"

"Joe is coming up to bat.  He swings.  (The question is "pitched".) He... misses.  He... hits it." 

     What is school for, anyways?  It's a huge chunk of the student's life.  It is a good thing to think about it.

"I am here to help and assist you. Look to your left and right."  

"Who else is here to help you?  Who are you here to help?  How?"

     Mysteries and clues are always fun.

"I'm thinking of a...."

     Students become deep thinkers as they apply logic to all they are learning.

"Now it is time to think newly."

"Compare... contrast... What do you see?"

     There needs to be celebrations and times where each student can shine for the class. At the end of the week, when everyone can be tired, it is a good time for students to free draw and take turns showing off how school has inspired them.

"Friday is full of show offs..."

"From the arts, speeches, and songs."

          A defining moment for a student is the realization that they can produce their own property through creativity, choices made, and hard work.

"Show what you know"

"It's yours to own."

     Helping a student own up to something is not easy even when it is right before your eyes.

"Should you be.... Yes or no?"

     It's a rush to rush and it's perfect to perfect.

"Edit, retry. It should be neat to the end." 

"If you cannot read it, write it again."

"Thoughts build, condense, and combine."

"They improve, through effort, in due time."

     Students have a muscle memory for what they do with their hands.  Sometimes, it is hard to listen with a pencil in that hand.

"Pencils down, and both eyes up."

"Hold your hands I know it's tough."

     A raised hand can mean many things.  If you ask, "Does anyone have a question?" don't be surprised if a student says, "I have a question."  and then states a fact.

"If you can answer it.  It is a question."

"You nod your head or make an expression."

"You say, 'Yes, no, maybe so....or I don't know.'

"And light up the trails of information."

     Listening ears can fine tune to hearing instructions once if the students learn to repeat in the mind what they hear.

"One time makes it fine."

     Many times a paper done, which represents a lot of time and effort, will get stuffed and crumpled into a backpack.

"This is your...  You should care a lot."

     Students can prove they are listening!  A series of instructions can be added upon.

"Okay in five.  Here are your instructions...got it? Go!"

     Sometimes teachers take on parenting.

"Don't make me count to five!"

"How many times were you asked to...?"

     Students have lapses of memory, too.

"Is that really how you want to spell that?"

     The true reason for a mascot.  The threat...

"The bulldog wants to be a student so much."  

"He would love to get papers if you don't write your names on them."

  

     When one student is recognized for standing out as the only one participating, the rest soon join in.

"Only Joe?" 

 "There you go!"

   When students forget to title the paper...

"This is a letter to the President, right?"

     Sometimes it is a pleasure to shock the teacher.

"Are you for sure? Wow, what a score!"

"I almost dropped down to the floor!"
"I did not know you were so smart."
"Beautiful penmanship. Joe did you write this?  WHO wrote this for Joe?"

    Teachers don't talk over students. Just so you know. A talker can be reminded with a look or a few quick words and not even break the teaching flow.

".........I'm talking....."  

     Wisdom comes with time and the wise old owl is here to stay in a quiet way.

"The wise old owl'

"Lived in an oak."

"The more he heard,"

"The less he spoke."

"The less he spoke," 

"The more he heard."

"Why can't we all be like that wise old bird?"

     Clues intrigue.

 "I'm thinking of a...."

     Baby animals remind us to be kind to our friends.

 "Soft Kitty." 

"Warm Kitty,"

"Little ball of fur."

"Happy kitty,"

"Sleepy kitty,"

"Purr, purr, purr!"

     Students need reminders to stay on task.  The teacher helps them self-govern by asking, instead of telling them what to do.

"What were you asked to do?"  

"What should you be doing right now?

"How can you show me you are here to learn?"

     Music does so much for the students and the teacher as well.  Emotions are expressed. Minds are refreshed.

For respect: patriotic songs

Happy songs:  "I Believe in Music", "Sing", "Let's Go Fly a Kite", "My Favorite Things"

Calming songs: "Rainbow Connection", "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", "What a Wonderful World"
To start a contest: "Rocky", "Star Wars", "Bonanza"
Inspiring thought:  classical collections...

      Students love to be first.  Making a game of who goes next puts all eyes on the teacher. This a good time to give them a series of things to do.

"If your name begins with... please stand up, get your paper...."

"I predict...will be next." ( pull out a name) "Joe." It's fun to be wrong. 

     There is nothing like being the only one caught not paying attention.

"If your pencil is on the front right corner of the desk, please stand up."

     At some point of the year some teachers develop personal relationships with each student and may even adopt "pet" names for the students.

"Okay, my lovelies."

"Let me ask my friend..."

"Thank-you, Mr. Joe."

"Are you ready, Spaghetti?"

     Teachers try to connect with Joe's feelings.

"My pen is sad.  Look at it."

"Leave your poor erasers alone."

"I hear so much talking, your pencils are jealous."

"Make me proud, your parents proud, but most of all make yourself proud."

"One day, a chair said, 'Please, Please! Put me somewhere they won't tilt me."  

I don't want to break!' "

"Your chair is crying.  (Push it in.)"

"I love correct answers. They're the coolest thing ever."

     For safety reasons and for respect of a learning environment a teacher will point out when something needs to be cleaned up.

"This is a hot mess."

     An eruption of disruption...  

"I don't talk to those who shout out."

  "Back to our routine."

     Sometimes a teacher might say something to confuse those who aren't listening.

"If you aren't paying attention, sit down."

"If you are paying attention, don't do the next thing.  'Sit down!' "

     A visitor enters the room.  (The teacher narrates her own moves.)

"The teacher holds a suitcase, puts on glasses, a coat, and makes her introduction."

"Hi, I am.."  

"Tell me what you are learning."

     Students aren't usually too concerned about getting dusty.

"By rows, sit on the floor." 

"The fastest team goes twice!"

"Who is it? Who wants more?"

"Great answers are the price."

      Sometimes it is a good thing to be last.  The teacher might ask questions till only one is still standing.

                                                    "Unbeatable... the Last Man Standing."

                                         "Next week, this trophy's back for grabbing!"

     The crowning moment...

"Who can take Joe off of his throne?" 

"Who is ready to hold the crown?"

     With a tricky game it is inevitable the teacher will make a mistake.

"Doing the opposite: Don't touch your toes. Do stretch low."

     The teacher spends a lot of time roaming the room while students work.

"This is a hot spot in the room.  A lot of great thinkers..."

"Are you sure you? Read it again."

     Students love to announce, "I'm done!"  But there is a better way.

"Push your pencil away" 

"and check your work, okay?"

     Students will ask again and again for you to repeat things.  Established rules work best.

"I will go over this when we are done. Just continue."

"Repeat directions in your mind."

"Keep it is in a safe place to find."

     Dictation is a great way to assess grammar and spelling.  Mysteriously words can be missed.

"Put your finger on every word."

"Make sure, all that's there, you heard."

     The best work goes on the board.  If the teacher has to write, "Could be neater." Another will go up instead.

"Here's who got one-hundred."

"And don't have any red."

     You are never too old to be a kid and there is always one student who will want to yank an arm or two.

"Hold hands to make a circle,"

"Not to large or too big."

"Don't squeeze hands till they're purple,"

"Or swing arms like a twig."

     Students are scholars in training.

"Where should your searching eyes be?"

"Your brain recalls what you see."

     Students get distracted in the afternoon.  There is a lot of wandering.
                                           

"Where are you?" 

"This is a school." 

"Please, thank-you."

"Respect is cool."

     Sometimes a teacher gets surrounded with students.

"Help!  They are attacking me!"

"Air!  A nice line is more pleasing."

     Sometimes teachers need to claim their own space.

"Personal space check."

"You might cause a wreck."

     There's a time and a place for offering complaints.  Students don't want to lose any of their recess to resolve friendship problems. Of course their perfect time is just when recess is over and the line is going in.

"What happens on the playground" 

"Stays on the playground."

"Let's talk at recess."

     Students love to point out patterns.  Teachers do to.

"When you sit next to.... you have a hard time concentrating... "

"Do you see that?"

     Sometimes a teacher helps the students watch the clock.

"Is it 3:30 yet?"

     Students are learning how to be friends.

"Who is being a super quiet friend?"

"I don't talk to friends if they shout out."

"Thank-you.  I love it, love it, love it!"  

"When my friends follow directions, oh that is the best part."

     Joe, wanting to show his stuff, can forget that he must share the class and let the teacher teach and let other students answer questions.

"If you shout out today, it won't be a good day."  

"We don't do that.  It takes from learning."

"I don't like to call your name toooooo many times."

     During discussions, only one person talks at a time and the teacher gets to pick.

"When two people talk, I can't hear Joe."

     A mile in the teacher's footsteps... so she can sit down.  (at the student's desk?)

"When you get picked, you get to be teacher."

     All good things must come to an end.

"I appreciate you wanting to do your work,"

"but now I need you to put your pencil down."

"Moving on."

     Students learn to self-talk.

"Let your brain know something is important."  
"FOCUS!"

     Teachers share feelings.

"Do you hear my heart singing for the choices that you make?"

"I am sad."

"I'm giving your paper a hug!"

     Sometimes teachers say their own names.

"The teacher says, "No thank-you, once!"

"What is Mrs. Moe's rule?"

"Mrs. Minnie is currently helping students correct their... " 

     Snacks may not be allowed, but talking about them isn't.

"Popcorn time." 

"You have to know who has had a turn,"

"so you can pick who is next to learn!"

     Lessons are found in parables, fables, and children's books.

1. The Little Hen:
     Lazy vs. industrious- The farm animals could do it and weren't doing anything else. Unearned, they      lost out in eating the bread.The hen took the opportunity and found satisfaction in doing the work        for herself.  She was able to contribute and provide for her family.   (self-reliance)
2. Berenstain Bears series:
     And the Bad Habit, Forget their Manners, Get the Gimmies, Trouble as School, Bullies, And the          Truth, Teasing, Gossip Gang, Show Some Respect, God Loves You, etc.

     Teachers give warnings to teach.

  "You have the best spot."  

"You can lose it."  

"I am giving you a warning."

     Students are learning to apply what they know.

"Are you sure this is how you want to spell that?"

     Testing time means silence in the halls.

"Side by side's for talking."

"Stand behind. Start walking."

Teachers are grateful.                                                                                                                    

   "Thank -you much for following..." 

"For all the rules you don't break."

     Teachers like to play games, too. Or is it sports?

"Timer- let's see if I can check all your work in one minute.  Ready... go!"

     Telephone, anyone?

"She's not here right now....Please leave a message after the beep."

"Would you like to call a friend, for the answer?"

"I hope I won't have to call any parents because the student..."

"Joe, don't expect me to call on you."

     I've got your back.  It's your choice now.

"Everywhere I put you there seems to be a problem.  You might end up in the back."

"Are you okay in line or do you need to go to the back?"

     A new rule is about to be made...

"First, you share"

"Then complain."

"I declare,"

"It's insane!"

     Socializing does happen?

"Whisper talking."

     Manners always.

"Cheating! Eyes on YOUR paper."

"Search your own brain."

"Cover your work."  

"You are stealing ideas.  She doesn't look at yours."  

"No thank-you."

     She knows the nose.

"I just saw that.  I don't want to see it again."  

"Go wash your hands."

     The rules apply to all.

"Joe had chapstick in his pocket all day."  

"He is such a good manager."

     The challenge is on.

"Joe, I challenge you to check your answer."

     Recess and back...

"Joe, would you please have a seat.  You will be last to line up for recess."

"Zip it and save it for recess."

"We are going in quietly back to class.  If you talk, you'll have to come back to the hall."

     The teacher caught her breath and thoughts and is back to reminding the students to be quiet.

"I should not hear any talking."

(When quiet) "The volume should stay like it is."

"Joe, no thank-you.  I can't make you student of the day if you talk."

"Joe, you are shouting out... can you help me out?"

"I need a quiet line like..."

"Who is that making noise?  It's JOE? (surprised)"

"I only have one Mary in the class."

"I guess you like to be the teacher."

 "You are almost ... graders.  Are you ready to commit?"

"If you were in the movie theater.  Would you talk?  turn around?"

"Will you be invited to a ... if the word got out you could not be quiet?"

"Suddenly, the room got quiet.  (Make up a story)"

"Visitors can't come unless we're polite."

"(Wrinkle nose)....speaking out loud in the classroom?  That's recess behavior."

     The teacher likes to have all eyes on her.

"Eyes on me.  Look at the brightness here."

"Where's my fan club?"

     Cloning time...

"I help those who are sitting down."

     On schedule...

"Learning time is precious."

"I will count to one minute in my head.  Let's see if you are ready.."

"To the.... I hope you make it."

 "If you made it (in time) give yourself a hug."

"Moving forward."

     Dictionary moment...

"A good part of self-reliance is keeping your things nice and neat."  

     Good sportsmanship...

"I love how you said, 'Good job to Joe!' "

"Next time, if you don't get upset, you may get a turn."

"Enough.  No thank-you.  If you're going to do that, then you won't play."

"This is the most important thing to learn, if you want to win...."

"I love how you are not upset."

     Let the teacher finish the lesson.

"Are you bleeding?"

 "Do you need me to call an ambulance?"

     Drama on row 3...

"Is there something I should know about?" 

     Silent treatment.

The teacher writes- "Please look at------->" 

(and draws an arrow to herself.)

     The Pow Wow...

"My turn, your turn. The talking stick is here."

     Patience...

"Wait for it!"

     Singing?

"I'll know you are ready, when you look like Joe."

    Watch this teacher's trick

"As soon as I’m done drawing, 

"you are going to whisper, 'Stop!' "

     On the back of the teacher's head... eyes?

"Joe, this is what I see." (show back of head)  

"I am this way." 

 "Fran doesn't have this problem." 

"The student of the day doesn't do this."

     It's got to be neat.

"I'm looking for volunteers." 

"That means you need to be done writing neatly and completely."

     The teacher's seat goes front and center.

"You have a big responsibility in that chair."

"Question number one."

     Back to reality...

"I want to laugh with you too." 

"But not when you are being tooo silly."

     Anticipation!

"Who is going to be the student of the day, tomorrow?"

 "Someone who..."

"Who is thinking ahead?"

     Intensity!

 "You have to look." 

"You have to search."  

"You have to want it."  

"That's how you learn.  You discover."

     The speech...

"You earned this."  
"It is my privilege and honor to award you with..."

     The boss!

"You and I need to fix this.'  

"See me later in my 'office'."

     You should...

"You should all be getting these right!"

     Musical chairs...

"Excuse me, you should be in your chair right now!"

"That's a good spot for you.  But not when you talk like that."

     Suspense (Teacher narrates her moves.) 

"All of a sudden the teacher walked over to..."

     Bling

"I love your..."

"I didn't notice you wearing it."

 "You are managing it well!"

    Announcements!

"I'm going to get a little bit tricky."

"I'm going to keep going till everyone has 100%."

"I am looking for cool stuff to put up on the wall."

     Busted!

"Let me see how long you'll owe me."

"You're doing that and looking at me,"

  "It let's me know you can make a better choice."

"You stopped what you were doing when you saw me looking at you." 

"That tells me you know you can make a better choice."

"We can talk about that at recess."

     Edit...

"First, a sloppy copy."

 "Then, a perfect paper."

     Jokester!

"Could you repeat that?" asked a student.  

"Yes, I could," was the response.

     Time is ticking!

"You have five seconds to sit the right way."

"Find a spot and stay in it...  in 3, 2, 1."

     Finding Joe?

"Where is Joe?" 

"Oh, he was so quiet!"

"You’re really quiet there."

"You look ready to answer."

     Movie time!

"Make a movie in your mind."

"And write what you see."

"What character did you find?"

"How'd he turn out to be?"

     Preface...

     "Joe, won't get into line and then start talking."

     Awake and alert!

"Nice job!  Not asleep over there."

"Who else?  Be thinking about it too."