Comments on: 4 Magic Words That Will Cut the Arguments in Half

By: Jodie

Jodie — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 23:57:30 +0000

I have done this before with a handful of my students and it always causes more disruptions. They take it as permission to run amuck and do as they please. I suppose it comes off as “if you are going to play then you may as long as you go to the back.” I think the phrase that works the best, but not always, has become “you may either snap to it or you will go and call a guardian and explain to them exactly why you are choosing your behavior right now.” We have some very headstrong young people.

By: LK Henley

LK Henley — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 01:14:32 +0000

These have always been my “magic words”: “You’re not in trouble”. I can’t begin to tell you how well these words work to relieve a students’ mind of defensiveness and keep open the lines of communication. I teach my students that the only way to get “in trouble” with me is to hurt someone or to destroy property intentionally, which happens so rarely, and even then, my kids know that it’s all about learning from our mistakes.

By: David Molyneux

David Molyneux — Sun, 25 Feb 2018 10:47:52 +0000

I like to follow up those words with the phrase, “I’m not angry with you, just disappointed.”

By: Shallin

Shallin — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 14:13:05 +0000

I can’t wait to use this in the fall! I had one very difficult class this school year, and all 14 habitually disruptive students voiced daily that I was “picking on” them personally! Then, I would get emails from their parents saying things like, “I know you hate my son, but is there something he can do to get his grade up?” It crushed me because loving and praying for my students and treating them fairly is what I feel I do well. I didn’t hate or even dislike any of my students, but by the end of the school year I was soooo discouraged and wondering if I even belonged in the teaching profession. This gives me hope for next year, especially if I have any of those students again. THANK YOU!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 02:12:36 +0000

Thanks, I’ll try to remember to use those words!

By: Jennifer Gonzalez

Jennifer Gonzalez — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 11:34:30 +0000

I can totally vouch for this, Linda. Have seen it work myself! I love how you consistently zero in on situations we can all relate to.