Chapter 6

The Power of Our Words: Chapter 6 Reminding Language

Written by: Donna King

• Reminders in the classroom help students stay on task, responsible and safe.

• Reminders are most effective when given BEFORE or JUST AS behavior is going off course.

• Rather than telling students what they’re supposed to do, the teacher prompts students to remember for themselves with specific questions.

1. Effective Reminding Language…..

• establishes expectations clearly

• phrases reminders as questions or statements

• is direct and respectful in tone and manner

• is brief

• is used when teacher and students are calm (in control of self)

2. When Teachers feel angry…..

• address ‘small things’/be proactive e.g. ‘Donna, respectful listening.’; ‘Marie, remember friendly words.’

• Use ‘freeze’ or ‘stop’ as time to collect thoughts, take deep breath and think through next statements

• Use time out/take a break

• Enlist help of buddy teacher for time out student

3. Examples of Reminding Language….

• “Think about how you will help with clean up.”

• “What can you do to be safe and friendly as we line up?”

• “It’s time for library, what should you do to get ready?”

• “Donna, what should you be doing now?’

• “I’ll begin when everyone is ready.”

• “What could you do if you have a question?”

• “Marie, what are you supposed to be doing now?”

• “Remind us, how are we going to______________________?”(line up, pack up, move to center, get ready for snack)

• “Show us a safe way to do that.”

• “What can you do if you don’t understand?”

• “What will help us have a good meeting?”

• “Show what you’ll do when you want a turn to talk.”

Personal reflections…..

The phrases in bold (above) are the first ones I’m practicing. Once they become second nature, I’ll add a few more. I think reminding language can be very effective when spoken in a calm, controlled, respectful manner.

No one that I know (adult or child) wants to be embarrassed by loud, impolite criticism. Unfortunately, many of our students hear much negative, angry, discourteous talk in their daily lives. While it is extremely discouraging to hear children speak to classmates and teachers with such insolence; it is also understandable. It’s frustrating, but challenging to teach them to rise above the language they know and teach them the meaning of respectful language. Reminding language is a perfect opportunity.

(Donna M. King)