Power of Our Words

Teacher Language that Helps Children Learn

Paula Denton

What you say—and how you say it—can help students develop confidence, competence, and self-control. The Power of Our Words offers practical tips, real-life anecdotes, and concrete examples on how to use your words to build a positive classroom community and increase student engagement.

Topics include:

The “Three Rs” of teacher language: reinforcing, reminding, and redirecting

Listening and skillfully using silence

Saying what you mean and meaning what you say with brief, concrete, and specific instructions and feedback

Stretching student thinking with open-ended questions

Using language to help students envision success