What We Say and How We Say It Matter: Teacher Talk That Improves Student Learning and Behavior

by Mike Anderson

Overview

We all want our students to feel safe, collaborate well with others, feel ownership for their learning, and be joyfully engaged in their work. Nevertheless, many teachers end up using language patterns that undermine these goals. Do any of these scenarios sound familiar?

• We want students to take responsibility for their learning, yet we use language that implies teacher ownership.
• We want to build positive relationships with students, yet we use sarcasm when we get frustrated.
• We want students to think learning is fun, yet we sometimes make comments that suggest the opposite.
• We want students to exhibit good behavior because it's the right thing to do, yet we rely on threats and bribes, which implies students don’t naturally want to be good.

What teachers say to students—when they praise or discipline, give directions or ask questions, and introduce concepts or share stories—affects student learning and behavior. A slight change in intonation can also dramatically change how language feels for students. In What We Say and How We Say It Matter, Mike Anderson digs into the nuances of language in the classroom. This book's many examples will help teachers examine their language habits and intentionally improve their classroom practice so their language matches and supports their goals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781416627043
Publisher:	ASCD
Publication date:	02/26/2019
Pages:	168
Sales rank:	56,018
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Mike Anderson has been an educator for more than 25 years. An elementary school teacher for 15 years, he has also taught preschool and university graduate level classes. He spent many years as a presenter, consultant, author, and developer for Northeast Foundation for Children, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping create safe, joyful, and challenging classrooms and schools. In 2004 Anderson received a national Milken Educator Award, and in 2005 he was a finalist for New Hampshire Teacher of the Year. Now, as an education consultant, Anderson works with schools in rural, urban, and suburban settings. He is the author of many books about great teaching and learning, including The Well-Balanced Teacher (ASCD, 2010) and Learning to Choose, Choosing to Learn (ASCD, 2016).

Table of Contents

1 What We Say and How We Say It Matter 1

2 Show Respect for All Students 13

3 Create a Culture of Collaboration 23

4 Develop Students' Positive Identity 30

5 Set Students Up for Success with Behavior 39

6 Support Students When They Struggle with Behavior 53

7 Elevate Students' Moral Reasoning 66

8 Promote Joyful Learning 79

9 Increase Student Ownership of Learning 88

10 Increase Student Participation 96

11 Boost Intrinsic Motivation 103

12 Focus on Growth and Learning 115

13 Build a Positive Adult Community: Teachers Talk Together 128

14 Shift Your Language Patterns 140

References 154

Index 158

About the Author 164

Acknowledgments 166