Capital High School
Keep Students Accountable Page 1

Vernon F. Jones and Louise S. Jones share the following methods that can assist teachers in helping students better understand schoolwork and enhance the quality of learning time.

Giving Clear Instructions

  1. Give precise directions.
  2. Describe the quality of work.
  3. After giving instructions, have students repeat or paraphrase.
  4. Positively accept students' questions about directions.
  5. Place directions where they can be seen and referred to by students.
  6. Have students write out instructions before beginning an activity.
  7. Give directions immediately prior to the activity they describe.
  8. Model the correct behavior.

Beginning a Lesson
  1. Select and teach a cue for getting students' attention.
  2. Do not begin until everyone is paying attention.
  3. Begin the lesson by removing distractions.
  4. Clearly describe the goals, activiites, and evaluation procedures associated with teh lesson being presented.
  5. Stimulate interest by relating the lesson to the stucdent' lives or a previous lesson.
  6. Start with a highly motivationg activity in order to make the students' initial contact with the subject matter as positive as possible.
  7. Hand out an outline, definitions, or study guide to help students organize their thoughts and focus their attention.
  8. Challenge students to minimize their transition time.

Maintaining Attention
  1. Arrange the classroom to facilitate the instructional activity you have selected.
  2. Use random selection in calling on students.
  3. Ask the question before calling on a student.
  4. Wait at least five seconds before answering a question or calling on another student.
  5. Ask students to respond to their classmates' answer.
  6. Do not consistently repeat students' answers.
  7. Model listening skills by paying close attention when students speak.
  8. Be animated.
  9. Vary instructional media and methods.
  10. Create anticipation.
  11. Ask questions that relate to students' own lives.
  12. Provide work of appropriate difficulty.
  13. Provide variability and interest in seatwork.

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