Me: Okay, class, next we’re going to work on our Social Studies activities. Tomorrow we are going over activities 1 and 2 as a group, so make sure you have activities 1 and 2 done before you do anything else. After you finish activities 1 and 2 you can work on any of the other activities you choose.
Student A: But you said we were doing Activities 1 and 2 together?
Me: I said we would go over them together tomorrow. You need to have it done by then so we can go over it together.
Student B: So, if we’re already done, what should we do?
Me: If you’ve already completed Activities 1 and 2, then you go on to the next step from the directions.
Student B: So, if we’re already done, can we do a different activity?
Me: You can answer your own question.
………………………………………………
I hate to repeat myself. In fact, I usually don’t. I hate to repeat myself.
It seems that so many students today though are never required to listen to and remember a simple set of directions … they’re constantly bailed out and enabled to be irresponsible. I ALWAYS give every set of directions like that verbally and in writing … you’d think that would hit 99% of the students. The problem, it seems, is that students have a question in their mind BEFORE I finish giving directions, so they never actually get the directions because they’re too focused on their individual question … if they’d just learn to wait, they could get their question answered by themselves nearly every time …
Add one more description to the teacher’s role: Broken Record.
Mr. Teacher Man: Confessions of a Classroom Teacher 
January 11, 2007 at 12:32 pm
I hear you, Mr. Teacherman. This generation of young adults hasn’t developed the listening skill very well, and many adults have forgotten how to listen. And, as you say, they’ve been greatly enabled not to do so.
¡Ay, caramba!
January 11, 2007 at 12:33 pm
BTW: It’s nice to see you back in the blogosphere.:)
January 11, 2007 at 1:23 pm
What was that, Miss Profe? I lost you after the first line …
January 11, 2007 at 11:58 pm
I am not sure I know what you mean. Please explain.:)
January 13, 2007 at 4:50 pm
I feel your pain. And I have noticed that it always seems to be the kids that I’m standing RIGHT NEXT TO when I first deliver the instructions that need them repeated later.
January 16, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Yes … and you are standing right next to them because, according to their parents, they respond much better that way.
June 10, 2007 at 12:21 pm
I’m retired from elementary teaching, but still work for a local university helping the next generation of teachers find and develop their inner teacher-selves.
Two quick reactions – one from my elementary days, and one from my university days
1. (Elementary Days) Yup. The only little modification that occasionally helped was to ask a couple of students to paraphrase the directions, or to ask everyone to tell their elbow partner what to do, followed with an opportunity for questions that weren’t covered in the directions.
2. (University Days) Yup. Sadly, it doesn’t get any better as students mature, even when they are learning to teach.
December 1, 2009 at 5:52 pm
I remember the broken record days too from my days in the classroom. Looking back, I wonder if we don’t train them not to listen by being willing to repeat ourselves. Maybe some real-life consequenses aren’t a bad thing.
If students don’t listen to the assignment, they may get it wrong or not do it at all. If the students need the assignment done to go out to recess, seems like they’d learn to listen pretty quick.
But of course, I never did that…I repeated the assignment.
January 29, 2012 at 8:31 pm
the student need listen you have to learning more about the love and dedication for others teaching meaning is love passion no money ok
October 3, 2013 at 8:29 am
I want to start by saying that your blog looks great! My name is Martin and I’m a teacher from Canada. I just started a new website called Resources4teaching where educators can buy and sell lessons and educational resources. We are new and are looking for people to join and put up their materials for sale on our website. We are having an iPad draw for the first 100 Vendors who join and upload at least 1 lesson /resource for sale on our website. There are absolutely no fees to join and you earn royalties of 70%. You can visit us at: http://www.resources4teaching.com
I also created the Resources4teaching forums where educators can discuss education. Feel free to join us and start sharing your best practices and strategies.
If you know any other teachers who might be interested in this Website, please forward this to them and if you have any questions, feel free to message me.
Have a great day