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October 20, 2013

Questions I Will No Longer Answer

As teachers, we are asked 1 zillion questions (approximately) each day, meaning we spend many of our precious minutes answering questions. Now, I am all about those ‘real’ questions that involve students grappling with a new topic or trying to understand something more deeply. I am not at all about questions that I answer on a daily basis that disrupt instruction, and students should already know the answer to. Many times I feel that these questions are asked because students do not take the time to think about the answer.

Some of my FAVORITE questions include…
(1) I’m finished. Where do I put my paper?

(2) Where is the stapler?
(3) May I have a post-it for my book?
(4) I’m finished. What should I do now?

OHMYGOODNESS! After approximately eight weeks of school, nothing gets me more fired up inside than these questions. During the first month of school, I will totally answer your question. At this point in the year, not a chance.

Fall Break gave me the chance to reflect on my teaching and how my classroom was running. As a part of this process, I realized a lot of the frustration I was feeling throughout my day was a results of questions, asked by students, that they should know the answer to. So, to put this particular issue behind me, I made a set of posters entitled, “Questions I Will No Longer Answer.” {you may grab it here from Drop Box}

I used binder rings to connect the questions and hung them in the room. Last Monday, I introduced the questions to my friends and we reviewed the answers to the 4 questions I chose to display. FRIENDS! IT IS MAGIC. LIKE WHOA! I know I am yelling, but IT’S MAGIC. It’s actually feels like my kids are 9 weeks into school and are trained – WAHHHHHWHOOOOOOOO!

Only 1 student has asked me ANY of the identified culprit questions in a week, and I just walked away. Another classmate helped the friend out after I was gone!

Do you ever get tired of answering the same questions?

Join me for weekly classroom updates and free resources that are just-right for your guided math classroom!

Sweet! Thanks so much for joining me. Now check your email to confirm your address & snag your freebies. Happy Teaching! -Catherine

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Filed Under: 5th Grade, Management Tagged With: Freebie, Management

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AMC Looking From Third to Fourth says

    October 20, 2013 at 11:22 pm

    I am loving this – thanks for sharing it! I have tried ignoring questions such as these but some students don't realize that I am ignoring their question on purpose and just repeat it more!!! Hope you had a great break

    Reply
  2. Kristen Doyle says

    October 20, 2013 at 11:43 pm

    I LOVE this! I constantly get asked where to turn in papers, and I have a really clear system in place. If I can find a few inches of spare wall space, I'm going to have to use these! Thanks for sharing!
    ~Kristen
    Chalk & Apples

    Reply
  3. Molly Wiard says

    October 21, 2013 at 12:18 am

    This is awesome!

    Reply
  4. Stephanie Rye says

    October 21, 2013 at 8:25 pm

    The questions that annoy me the most are the ones I just answered!!! For instance, you tell your students that they need to skip lines when writing and someone raises their hand and says, "Do I need to skip lines?" At this point in the year I will refuse to answer those. I will say something like, "I just gave that direction. You need to ask someone who heard the directions." Loved reading your post today!

    Stephanie
    Forever in Fifth Grade

    Reply
  5. Lori Smith says

    October 21, 2013 at 9:49 pm

    I enjoyed your post, and the freebie will definitely come in handy! Thanks! I get so annoyed having students ask questions they should know the answer to already.

    Lori
    The Reinspired Teacher

    Reply
  6. Tammi Booth says

    October 22, 2013 at 10:18 pm

    Lol. You've read my mind! Thanks for the freebie. I'm going to try it.
    Tammi
    The Balanced Classroom

    Reply
  7. Alison Rose says

    October 23, 2013 at 2:53 am

    I have looped with my group…so I have the same kids. You would be amazed at the questions they STILL ask sometimes. I just give them "the look" and someone else will help them. Thanks for sharing this!
    Alison
    Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'

    Reply
  8. Mrs. Yazzie's Classroom News says

    October 23, 2013 at 3:58 am

    Oh yes, I feel your pain!!! My usual comebacks are, "Asked and answered." or "Ask three before me." And then one of my other lovelies will help the student. I totally believe in student responsibility for information that has been appropriately presented. I am going to add these to the mix. Thanks!

    Reply
  9. jivey says

    October 25, 2013 at 2:01 am

    I love this idea and I LOVE your new layout! 🙂 🙂 🙂
    Jivey

    Reply
  10. Hope Newport says

    November 8, 2013 at 7:34 pm

    What a genius idea! We were just talking about this during lunch the other day. I am so ready to get rid of all these distracting (annoying) questions!!

    Hope
    Teaching with Hope 

    Reply
  11. Panicked Teacher says

    December 17, 2013 at 3:44 am

    These are terrific!! Just what a panicked teacher needs, lol. Thanks! 🙂

    Reply
  12. Kate says

    December 17, 2013 at 3:51 am

    Hahaha – thanks, Susie! At this point they are just a normal part of my classroom and have really helped out. We have the "3 and then, ask me" rule, so that has been helpful, too! 🙂 I'll definitely be revisiting and reviewing these after we get back from Winter Break! -Catherine

    Reply
  13. Atlantas Frugal Mom says

    December 17, 2013 at 4:45 am

    Love this – would've LOVED it when I was in the classroom. (And may use should I return.) But you left out my biggest pet peeve: "what are we doing today?" or even worse "are we doing anything today?"

    After the first few days, kids should know the objectives for the day (or class period) are listed on a designated board and/or discussed the day before…

    Reply
  14. snowdoll says

    December 17, 2013 at 5:00 am

    I LOVE this idea! Thank you so much for sharing it.

    Reply
  15. Molly says

    December 31, 2013 at 11:37 pm

    This is such a great idea!! Totally printing these out for when we go back in a week!!

    Molly
    Lessons with Laughter

    Reply

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My name is Catherine Reed, and I am in my 8th year in elementary life, residing in small-town, Kentucky.  I student taught in 1st grade and never ...

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