100%

Ok wait!!! Before you go modeling and practicing your handy dandy expectations, there is one more important factor that I must urge you on. It is the concept of 100%. If you think about that utopian classroom we chatted about before, you would definitely see 100% participation, 100% obligated, 100% of all students behaving and acting a way that is conducive to learning. Now let me just say right now that if you do not believe that 100% of your students are capable of stepping up to the challenge then there is no point in reading on. You can go back to doing what you do and God speed! ...... Now, those of you still remaining, you must make sure that when you get to the practice portion you get 100% of the students following. 

I know, I know. You're probably saying, "What do I do if I don't?!" Never fail. Ninja teacher is here. Kidding. Really. Expect to NOT see all students participating or following every expectation. That is ok.. for now. You will always have that one or two students that will test you and attempt to do their own thing. Your expectation however should still remain that you must insist on all 100%.  If you follow my advice, you will get that result. 

Let me explain further. Close your eyes and picture this scenario. Wait, guess you can't if you're reading this. Scratch that, reverse it. Visualize this scenario, with your eyes open. I have just handed out papers and asked all students to write their name and date on the paper with the expectations that I give them 1 minute to do so and then when I call time's up, stop everything and eyes on me. We practice by pretending to write and me calling time. Practice goes well. It's time for the real thing. The kids pick up pencils and the timer starts. Time is now up and I  need everyone's attention so that I can give the next step. I've given a direction to put pencils down and have eyes on me. Out of 25 kids, I have 5 kids still writing. I have a partner pair talking. I have one child going into her back pack looking for her sharpener. I have two kids with pencils in hand tapping. The rest followed the expectations give. You have a crossroads here. Here is how the two paths can play out:

Scenario 1: I now am upset because my kids clearly did not listen and all are not focused on me.

"Why are you in your back pack? Didn't I tell you to look at me? Stop tapping the pencils! Hey you two, I'm waiting! Hurry up!! How long does it take you to write your name and date?"

I'm now getting louder and louder. While that is going on, the others who were how you wanted them are now losing focus. Not a good situation. I'm frustrated and so are the kids. What I suggest is try this instead. And it may sound silly, but please don't knock it until you try it. Here it goes:

Scenario 2:

1: Stand in a power position. Mine is standing very tall, legs slightly apart, arms crossed, eyes surveying the room.

2: In a deliberate slow and low voice say, "I see 60% ready.....I see 75% ready. Thank you Maria for your eyes. I see 83% ready. Wonderful eyes Brian. I see 90% ready. 97%. I see 2 people not focused on me. Thank you. 100% excellent."

Notice that I didn't say people's names. I didn't nag. I praised students. I kept my cool. Often kids that purposefully lag behind want negative attention. Don't give it to them. Let me also note that sometimes the waiting on the last few can last what seems like forever. DO NOT GIVE IN. If you move forward with that last child or last two will cause headaches later and they won control. They are the ones that disturb others later saying, "What are we doing again?" or trying to get others off task. Now your flow is interrupted. Wait for 100%. It may be slow now, but it WILL speed up.

3: You can now go over the expectations again. Do a fake practice again. And say, "Let's see if we can get to 100% faster!"  Again, it will be slow but it will speed up and you'll have them get quicker at responding the right way. Keep repeating the expectations and wait for 100%

Now if you are in an activity where they are out of their seats, such as walking in line. Make sure you STOP the line when you don't see 100%. Stop and say calmly, "That's unfortunate. We are less than 100% so I'll wait." Wait awhile if you have to. The kids will want to move and come into submission! :)

My final thoughts for you: Do NOT settle for anything but 100%. That 3% can cause havoc in your class the rest of the year. Use the power and pressure of the other 97% to get those final ones on task. If those same kids refuse to not follow along after you've been explicit, modeled,  and practiced, then have a talk with them on the side away from the other kids. Do not let them have an audience. If it continues, get the support of your administrators.