Remember hearing young children say,”I can do it myself!” and struggling to do the task? That’s the statement we want to hear from students. When they solve their own problems it indicates we’ve given them important skills that will reach beyond the classroom. But what are the early steps in building that independence and problem solving? Here are a few starter ideas.
1. Redirect student questions. “Where do I put my paper?” “What am I suppose to do next?” “Where do I get a new pencil?” If you have given the directions, redirect further questions to your students. Let them help each other. They can walk their fellow student through the process, show them where things are located, etc. Now you are free to teach, advise and work with students and aren’t falling into the re-repeating trap. It’s liberating!
2. 3-B-4-Me. Use the Three Before Me policy. After you give directions and take clarifying questions, students are to ask 3 others before asking you for additional help. First, they need to ask themselves: “My task today is to ______________________.” If they still need help ,the second and third people are fellow students. Often they speak a slightly different language and are able to explain ideas to each other better than we might do. If confusion remains, then students may ask the teacher or person leading the group. NOTE: You will need to build in a brief time for these interactions to take place before you send students to working quietly.