15+ Ways to Check for Understanding

Introduction:

Being a teacher is a unique and fulfilling profession that comes with its own set of challenges and surprises. From managing classrooms to educating young minds, teachers often find themselves saying things they never thought they would. Here are 15 things that teachers often find themselves saying until they step into the shoes of an educator.

  1. “Please stop eating glue” – Who would have thought that teachers would have to remind their students not to eat glue? But hey, it happens more often than you might think.
  2. “No, 2+2 does not equal 22” – Teaching math to young students means encountering unique challenges, including dispelling the notion that basic addition results in a double-digit answer.
  3. “Hands to yourself, please” – Keeping students from constantly touching each other is a never-ending battle for teachers everywhere.
  4. “Yes, spiders are fascinating, but please stop bringing them to class” – Children’s curiosity knows no bounds, and teachers have to gently remind them that not everything belongs in the classroom.
  5. “Turn off your cell phones, please” – Dealing with distraction caused by the ever-present smartphones is an ongoing struggle for educators.
  6. “No, you can’t go to the bathroom for the tenth time today” – Teachers become well-acquainted with bladder-related emergencies and the art of discerning genuine needs from mere distractions.
  7. “Yes, reading aloud in a funny voice is encouraged” – Teachers often have to encourage creativity and engage their students by reading aloud in entertaining ways.
  1. “Please don’t eat paper” – It’s incredible how often teachers have to remind students not to snack on their worksheets.
  2. “No running in the hallways” – Teachers are tasked with maintaining order in the chaos of school hallways and strongly reminding students to walk, not run.
  3. “Yes, spelling ‘because’ with a ‘z’ is incorrect” – Teachers have the responsibility of correcting grammar and spelling mistakes, no matter how unusual.
  4. “Put your hand down, I haven’t even finished asking the question yet” – Students’ eagerness to answer can sometimes result in them jumping the gun, and teachers need to rein them in.
  5. “Please don’t lick the pencil sharpener” – Teachers must constantly remind students of the difference between appropriate and inappropriate objects to put in their mouths.
  6. “Yes, it is possible to get excited about a science experiment” – Teachers strive to ignite their students’ curiosity and make learning a fun experience.
  7. “No, recess is not canceled just because it’s a little cloudy” – Teachers have to explain that outdoor playtime is not solely contingent on optimal weather conditions.
  8. “Remember to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you'” – Teachers teach not only academic subjects but also important life skills, such as basic manners and kindness.

Conclusion:

Becoming a teacher is definitely a journey filled with unexpected moments and conversations. Teachers often find themselves saying things they never thought they would, but at the end of the day, they know they are making a difference in the lives of their students. So next time you hear a teacher utter something seemingly strange, just remember, they’re doing their best to educate and guide the next generation.