We all want to reap the benefi ts of what we are doing, don’t we? Communicate to students that they are reaping the benefi ts of the work they are doing by using phrases such as “because” and “since.”
• “Because you worked hard, you succeeded.”
• “Since you realized the importance of learning these things, you are progressing rapidly in your studies.”
• “Because you are attending this seminar, you will gain valuable strategies to use to accelerate your success.”
• “Since you worked collaboratively in your group, you completed the project in only three days.”
• “Because you made the decision to learn and grow in many different ways, you have already brought that about in your life.”
• “Since you focused on completing this assignment, you feel really good about it.”
Potential Functions for This Tip: Teaching, Planning for the Future, Responding to Objections, Encouraging Students, Infl uencing Students, Resolving Conflicts
Becoming Someone Else
Who are some of your heroes? Who are the people who can do the things that you would like to learn to do or do even better? When we want to do something better, we can step in and become someone else. Several years ago, I wanted to learn how to get away from work when I was on vacation. A friend suggested that I think of someone who was able to do that with ease. I identified my role model, worked to be like that person, and had a wonderful holiday!
Students have many heroes in their lives, both in person and in the media. When students hesitate to believe that they can actually do something, or when they don’t quite yet have the confidence to move forward into completing a task or assignment, ask them about their heroes: “Who might be able to do this quickly and really enjoy doing it?”
This technique helps students move from having no idea what to do, to thinking about how a powerful person in their lives might go about doing something, to actually becoming the person who can do it.
• “What might _______ do in this situation?”
• “What are your thoughts as to how _______ might go about completing this assignment?”
• “What steps might _________ follow in the process of doing this?”
• “If you were _________, what might be some of your thoughts about how to do this?”
• “Step in and become ___________. Notice what you are doing as you complete this project.”
Potential Functions for This Tip: Planning for the Future, Responding to Objections, Encouraging Students, Influencing Students, Resolving Conflicts
"Before Friday” Instead of “By Friday”
What does it mean when someone asks you to do something “by Friday”? Most people visualize themselves completing the task on Thursday evening, stressed out because they are doing it at the last minute. What do you visualize when someone says, “Please do this before Friday”? This change in wording allows the listener to focus on the time before Friday, perhaps even the entire week that precedes Friday.
Frequently, we ask students to have something completed “by Friday.” Instead, use the term “before Friday” to help students envision the whole process of completing the assignment, and they will be more likely to focus on the time during the prior week, according to C. Hall (personal communication, May 2006).
• “Please complete your project before spring break.”
• “Papers will be due before the end of the day on Wednesday.”
• “Please turn in your work before the end of class tomorrow.”
• “Papers are due before 3 p.m. today.”
Potential Functions for This Tip: Teaching, Planning for the Future, Influencing Students, Resolving Conflicts
“By Doing X . . .”
By teaching, we affect the future. By focusing on encouraging students, we help them to be powerful learners who will encourage others. By encouraging others, your students will powerfully influence the world! By beginning a sentence with “By doing X,” we imply that the student is defi nitely going to be reaping certain benefits as a result of doing something.
• “By studying the material every night after class, you will almost guarantee that you will do well on the fi nal exam.”
• “By participating in class, you will build relationships with your colleagues that can last a lifetime.”
• “By coming to class every day and taking notes, you will ensure that you do well in the class.”
• “By walking quietly down the hall between classes, you enable students in other classes to continue studying.”
• “By being willing to take risks and do new things, you will grow more than you ever dreamed would be possible!”
Potential Functions for This Tip: Teaching, Planning for the Future, Responding to Objections, Encouraging Students, Influencing Students, Resolving Conflicts
Read More : Tips for Talking Effectively With Student - Using “Because” and “Since” Words
