We may say that children say the darndest things but what about teachers? Read this article for ten of Kat Cauchi and Mark Anderson’s favourite ‘teacher phrases’…
There’s so many we could share but here are ten of our favourites (in no particular order). We hope they make you smile (and we’re also wondering how many you have heard yourself utter!).
- “It’s your own time you’re wasting.”
This might possibly be followed by, “I can wait all day!” or “I’ve got nowhere to be after this, so we can all stay here, can’t we?” We absolutely do have things to do, places to be and cannot wait all day, but they don’t know that – right?
- “Put your thinking cap on.”
Bonus points if you have mimed putting on said thinking cap or pointed to your head while saying this one. If anyone has a literal thinking cap they wear, please do tell us.
- “If you fall over and break your leg, don’t come running to me.”
It would be a tall order for that student to run over really, wouldn’t it…
- “Just put a paper towel on it.”
The humble paper towel really can be used in almost every situation.
- “I dismiss you; the bell doesn’t dismiss you.”
You know for a fact that the bell does indeed mark the end of the lesson, but you hadn’t finished what you were saying and it’s just plain etiquette!
- “Do I need to take you to nursery to show you how to behave?”
Or perhaps to reception or primary school – it all depends on the age of the children and quite how much of a point you are trying to make about the immature or annoying nature of their behaviour.
- “Who’s sitting nicely?”
In many a primary or early years class, suddenly the backs straighten up, the legs are crossed/feet down on floor and maybe you’ve even got fingers on lips or folded arms. You may also have had to tell a pupil or two that you didn’t want an actual answer to that question.
- “If I had a pound for every time I said that, I’d have retired by now.”
There are many variations of this, such as ‘a penny for every time’ or ‘I’d be rich by now’ etc. The point is that we are so tired of repeating ourselves and we need to express that through a sarcastic comment.
- “I’ll give you a clue – it begins with ‘stop’ and ends with ‘it’.”
This one is definitely said in pure exasperation. A tone similar to phrases like, ‘That’s quite enough of that, thank you.’ Basically, we are done!
- “1, 2, 3, eyes on me.”
We just love a good rhyme, don’t we! Sounds so much more catchy than “Look at me” or “Pay attention” as well, doesn’t it?
Let us know on social media which ones you liked best and what you would add.
Authors
Mark is a global speaker, EdTech expert, trainer, blogger, author and key note speaker, known as the ICT Evangelist. He has over 20 years of experience in the classroom. Mark is the head of education at NetSupport, an Independent Thinking associate, an MIE Expert and fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching. His latest book can be found at edtechplaybook.com.
