Handling Right and Wrong Answers

HOW TO HANDLE RIGHT ANSWERS

1. Give praise and rewards at the right time.
2. A right answer must be both complete and correct.
3. Praise your student after every correct answer.
4. When your student gives a right answer on the first try, without help, give special recognition.
5. If your student fishes for answers, get a commitment before you respond.
6. Let the student know it is all right to try even if unsure of the answer.

If your student doesn't answer, do these things:

1. Calmly ask the question again, give a hint, ask another question that might elicit the same answer, be encouraging!
2. Sound pleased when you get an answer, and praise the student if it's right.
3. Don't make an issue of the resistance to answer.
4. Have the student think out loud rather than say nothing

HOW TO HANDLE WRONG ANSWERS

1. Correct your student's work without being discouraging
2. Don't say "no'' or "that's wrong'' and never make fun of answers.
3. Always try to get a right answer before going on to the next problem.
4. If the student's answer is incomplete, help the student with the question and the answer.
5. If the answer is incorrect, give clues to help discover the answer.
6. Once the student has discovered the right answer, repeat the question, have the student repeat the right answer, and provide praise.
7. Be sure the student understands what the error was and give another opportunity later to repeat the question and answer so that the correct answer is reinforced.
8. If the student consistently gets the wrong answer, review the different ways you might involve the student and try another approach until you find one that provides success for the student.

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