Watch this video [1:29] for how I manage the behavior of the kid who yells out an answer even though I’ve called on someone else.

You ever get that kid in your class who never answers a question? When she finally raises her hand you’re thinking, “Whoa, this kid is finally going to answer a question!” And so, you pick her.

As soon as you pick her, what happens? Another child yells out the answer.

Where does my attention go? Right with the child who yelled out, which is what he’s hoping.

I have to pull from the bottom of my boots to be able to not even pay attention to that child who yelled out and say to the first child, “Go ahead. Give the answer.”

She gives the answer and then I back up and say to the child who yelled out, “OK. Now it’s your turn. What was it that you wanted to say?”

Usually the child’s like, “Nothing. I’m good.” Because he knows I’ve got his number.

For some reason, it works for them. They interrupt and we go there because they really get under our skin. But I have to be able to say to myself, “Nope, nope. I’m focusing on you, the child who never raises her hand. Focusing on you.” And I give her my attention because I want her to raise her hand again.

But if I go to him, she’s like, “Yeah, whatever. It’s not worth raising my hand anymore.”