Many definitions of classroom management usually highlight ‘Student Behaviour’ as the key element in the classroom that needs to be managed. However, ‘Student Behaviour’, is an output caused by a set of inputs. We may be aware of some of the inputs like interest level of the student, his/her learning style, his/her relationship with the teacher, and so on. However, we may be ignorant of other inputs that lead students to demonstrate undesirable behaviours.
Let us now observe this painting.
We can see how an artist has made use of different colours and various strokes, but we may be puzzled with the message or the meaning that the artist wishes to convey. We may be able to guess the meaning based on the length of our imagination, but we are unsure, rather UNCLEAR. Similarly, your students in the classroom are UNCLEAR about a few concepts. As a result, the need to manage them and their behaviours arises.It is therefore essential for teachers to gain clarity, and understand when their pupils are unable to grasp a concept.
Let us examine the classroom situation given below for further insight.
Situation – “Often when Mrs. X’s class is about to embark on an activity, it occurs to her that all the whispers and puzzled faces mean that they have no clue of what is to be done in the activity.”
Yes, you are right! The answer is – Your INSTRUCTIONS are unclear. So, are you clear about what is unclear?
INSTRUCTIONS
While taking my lessons in the classroom, I could identify the effects of poor instructions and the need to follow the TEN COMMANDMENTS.
Effects of Poor Instructions
If your students are not clear with the instructions during an activity, you would notice the following reactions:
- They would appear perplexed and would start enquiring from their neighbours. Consequently, you have a distracted, disconnected and dazed set of students in your classroom, and we call this behaviour UNDESIRABLE. (Suggest some other word rather than Undesirable)
- They might lose confidence and faith in you. This could be a catastrophic loss for you.
- You would be required to repeat the instructions, which would cause you to fall back on schedule.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
Follow the TEN COMMANDMENTS of effective instructions to ensure effective classroom management.
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- Plan your instructions as you plan your lesson.
- Practice providing instructions before you enter your classroom. This will help you in identifying the gaps if any. For example, while practicing you may find that the instructions are not in the correct sequence. You can change the sequence accordingly. You will also be able to anticipate the responses of students.
- Stand in front of the class while giving instructions.
- Get your students’ attention. You may use a prop (a bell) or non-verbal cues, show a stimulating picture, write a question on the board, draw a dot on the board and keep drawing over it till it becomes bigger in size, countdown, and so on, to grab their attention.
- Arrange your students, for example, in pairs or groups, before giving the instructions.
- Give instructions related to the activity. Ensure that the instructions are given according to the ability of the students. Avoid providing too many instructions at once, to a slow learner.
- Ask Instruction Checking Questions (ICQs) to check the understanding of the students.
- The ICQs should be closed questions. For example, you instruct the students to perform the activity in pairs; the answer to an ICQ “Do you have to perform this activity individually or in pairs?” will confirm their understanding.
- Do not ask students to explain what they have to do in the task. Avoid asking questions like “Tell me what you have to do”.
- Avoid asking “Do you understand?” as the obvious answer in unison is ‘Yes’.
- Do ask “Do you have any questions”?
- Check by giving the opposite instructions. For example, “I think you have to perform this activity individually, am I right?”
- Use unfinished sentences and let the students complete the sentences. For example, “You are required to perform this activity in __________”?
- Demonstrate the task if required.
- Signpost material (handouts, worksheets, etc.), if any.
- Distribute material after giving all the instructions. When students receive a handout, they start reading it. This human reaction is inevitable. As a result, they miss other important instructions.
Your instructions are steps that your students climb, to discover the unknown. These steps should not be slippery, bent or damaged.
Certainly an educative article…very useful for teachers.
These 10 commandments are indeed most essential to be kept in mind while addressing the class! Thanks for reminding us teachers to follow them at all times!!!!!!! I WILL
Superb…. very thought provoking…. this should be implemented by not just teachers but also for parents…
U experience being a teacher not in just classroom however in your professional life as well. Certain basic steps as defined above if practiced in your professional world too will definitely give you the required results . Thanks for the inputs.
Very clear, concise instructions on ‘how to give instructions’. Relevant and well written.
Great analytical approach towards a perfect assessment of the teaching imparted and absorbed
Guidelines would make it easier for the teachers for all age groups . Congratulations Shweta for creating the format !
Excellent guidelines for the teachers to help them give precise n clear instructions to the students. Very articulately written.
Excellent guidelines for the teachers which will enable them to give precise n clear cut instructions to students. Very articulately written
Congrats Shweta for creating such a nice format benefitting both teachers & students… God bless u
Written after thorough and in-depth analysis .. informative and thought provoking article…
Shweta needs to be commended for listing out practical guidelines for Teachers interaction with their pupils. ABC (accuracy, brevity, clarity) is the key to understanding verbal communication and she has achieved it!
Very well researched and thought provoking article. An eye opener not just for the teachers but for the parents as well. Written in a simple language that can be understood by all easily and also very effective in communicating the message it wants to deliver. Great job!!
Very well written…..practical and precise.Well done!!!
Great. An approach which will benefit the teacher and the learner.
Very well done Shweta. These strategies can be incorporated by the teachers to make a classroom a better place for learning. These are some of the very effective ways by which the students can be kept engaged. Keep Going and Good Luck!!