Title: The Power of Teacher Language | Responsive Classroom
Headings: The Power of Teacher Language
The Power of Teacher Language
1. Be direct and genuine
2. Convey faith in children’s abilities and intentions
3. Focus on action
4. Keep it brief
5. Know when to be silent
Opening the doors of possibility

Content: Being silent also allows us to listen to students. Listening means resisting the impulse to jump in and correct students’ words or to finish students’ thoughts. To listen is to maintain our attention until the speaker is clearly done and to try to understand what the speaker said before formulating a response. When we listen to students like this, we model respectful interaction in a community of learners. When we allow students to speak at their own pace, we help them learn because speaking is an important means of consolidating knowledge. Opening the doors of possibility
Incorporating these five principles of teacher language into our daily communication with students helps us build a classroom where students feel safe, respected, and engaged. By paying attention to our language and using it to open the doors of possibility for children, we help them become successful learners. This article is an adapted excerpt from The Power of Our Words: Teacher Language That Helps Children Learn, 2nd Edition, by Paula Denton. Tags: