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"A treasury of practical communication skills for teachers." --Rick Benedict, Principal, L'Anse Creuse High School, Harrison Township, MI "Everyone who touches the lives of children should read this book. It is packed with the kinds of skills teachers need now." --Joe Hasenstab, President, Performance Learning System, Nevada City, CA |
"Next time, I want you to wait until I'm finished."
"Next time, tell her what you want."
"Next time, put your name in the upper right-hand corner of your paper."
"Next time" is a sentence starter that plants pictures in students' heads of what you expect. It focuses their attention on what you want to have happen. It enables them to visualize the positive outcome rather than the negative behavior you wish to eliminate.
"Next time" is an alternative to "don't." Imagine that we just told you, "Don't think of a blue elephant." What happened? Of course, you thought of a blue elephant. The same phenomenon occurs with students. "Don't run in the hall" puts a picture of running in the halls in students' heads. "Don't poke and push" helps them visualize poking and pushing. Whenever you say "don't," you may actually strengthen the exact behavior you want to eliminate.
The phrase "next time" not only plants a positive picture, it concentrates on teaching. Whatever follows "next time" instructs. It gives students useful information for later.
Are you interested in developing a style of communication that gives students clear instructions as to your expectations? Do you want them to create positive pictures of desired behaviors? Then next time, begin your sentence with "next time."
