Can you imagine a teacher talking too much?

As a behavior consultant to school districts in seven states, I observe it often.

It’s ironic because most of us battle with students who talk too much in class, too much in line, too much in assemblies and simply won’t stop talking.

TALKING TOO MUCH WHILE TEACHING

I’ve certainly caught myself talking too much while delivering instruction and I should know better given my line of work. My particular weakness: beating a concept to death because it is a personal favorite.

If you want to know if you are over-explaining, watch for physical cues. Are you seeing meltdowns? Are students putting their heads down or leaning back? Are they passing notes? Are they looking at the clock or checking their watches? Are they talking to their friends?

Please avoid that pit we all fall into sooner or later when we feel our control over our class slipping between our fingers: talking louder and saying more. When your audience starts deteriorating, it’s past time to move on.

TALKING TOO MUCH WHEN MANAGING BEHAVIOR

It’s just as important not to talk too much when managing behavior. When re-directing a student I use as few words as possible to intervene and re-direct.

If I use too many words I invite a power struggle. Or I forget what I was talking about to the class. Or, worse, I get deterred by the wily student who would rather listen to me talk about her behavior than the lesson.

If you’ve experienced this, you know how frustrating it is. And you know how it can heighten your exasperation with that student. But consider this—you didn’t need to give that student a lengthy explanation in the first place about why she can’t talk to her friend in the middle of your instruction.

Just remember:

1. If you talk too much while teaching, you can cause behavior problems.
2. If you talk too much while managing behavior, you can make it worse.

Try my tips. You will win the battle, and live to talk another day.