High Expectations

Question 1

What is “No Opt Out?”

Answer 1

When the child is unable to answer, make him keep trying until he gets it right.

Question 2

What are the four formats to get the student to the correct answer?

Answer 2

1. You provide the answer; the student repeats the answer.
2. Another student (or the whole class) provides the answer; the initial student repeats the answer.
3. You provide a cue; your student uses it to find the answer.
4. Another student provides the cue and the student uses it.

Question 3

What is the “Right is Right” technique?

Answer 3

Set and defend a high standard of correctness.

Question 4

What are the four standards in “Right is Right?”

Answer 4

1. Hold on for all the way.
2. Demand that the student answer the question you asked.
3. Make the student honor the sequence to the right answer; do not let them jump ahead.
4. Use technical vocabulary.

Question 5

Give an example of using technical vocabulary.

Answer 5

Instead of general or hazy terms, use the exact definition. Instead of “the amount of space” use “cubic units of space.”

Question 6

What is the “Stretch It” technique?

Answer 6

Reward right answers with follow-up questions that extend knowledge and test for reliability.

Question 7

What are six “Stretch It” questions?

Answer 7

1. Ask how or why.
2. Ask for another way to answer if there is one.
3. Ask for a better or different word (or synonym or antonym).
4. Ask for evidence.
5. Ask students to integrate a related skill.
6. Ask students to apply the same skill in a new setting.

Question 8

Give an example of applying the same skill in a new setting.

Answer 8

When you are talking about the setting of a book, ask whether movies have settings, then ask for the setting of a movie they know. Stretch for details.

Question 9

Give an example of integrating a related skill.

Answer 9

I stride down the street…
I stride down the street to buy some candy at the store…
I stride down the wide street to buy some candy at the store…
My brother and I stride down the wide street to buy some candy at the store.

Question 10

What is the “Format Matters” technique?

Answer 10

The student must answer with complete sentences without slang or syntax, usage, or grammar errors.

Question 11

What is the “Without Apology” technique?

Answer 11

The way we talk about expectations can lower them. Never apologize for teaching worthy content or having high standards.

Question 12

What are three primary ways we are at risk of apologizing for what we teach.

Answer 12

1. Assuming something will be boring.
2. Blaming the class content on someone outside the class.
3. Making the material accessible by diluting the content or dumbing it down.

Question 13

What are some good alternatives to apologizing?

Answer 13

“This material is great because it’s really challenging!”
“Lots of people don’t understand this until they get to college but you’ll know it now. Cool.”
“This can really help you succeed.”
“This gets more and more exciting as you come to understand it better.”
“We’re going to have some fun as we do it.”
“A lot of people are afraid of this stuff, so after you’ve mastered it, you’ll know more than most adults.”
“There’s a great story behind this!”

Question 14

What are some more good alternatives to apologizing?

Answer 14

“This is one of the things you’re going to take real pride in knowing.”
“When you’re in college, you can show off how much you know about…”
“Don’t be rattled by this. There are a few fancy words, but once you know them, you’ll have this down.”
“This is really tricky. But I haven’t seen much you couldn’t do if you put your minds to it.
“I know you can do this, so I’m going to stick with you through this part.”
“It’s okay to be confused the first time through this but we’re going to get it, so let’s take another try.”