Scenarios
A student keeps tapping their pencil loudly during silent work.
What TLAC-aligned move should the teacher make first?
Use a Least Invasive Intervention, such as silent eye contact, a gentle tap on the desk, or proximity.
A coach observes that the teacher is giving directions while walking around the room collecting papers.
What strategy could strengthen the clarity of the direction?
Use Strong Voice: stand still to deliver directions.
This principle says directions should be specific, observable, and tell students exactly what action to take.
Which subcomponent is this?
What To Do.
“Can we please focus now, guys?”
Rewrite this using a stronger TLAC-aligned direction.
Strong Voice rewrite: “Eyes on your work. Start now.”
Give a 5-second Strong Voice direction to start independent reading.
“Open your books and begin reading silently.”
During partner work, two students start chatting about the weekend.
What is the quickest, least disruptive response the teacher can give?
Use proximity and a brief nonverbal cue, or a quiet reminder like “Back to partners.”
The teacher gives a reminder to stay on task, but several students still look confused.
Which technique would help make the expectations more explicit?
Make Expectations Visible: model, show, or restate the specific expected action.
This aspect of Strong Voice relies on silence to communicate expectations.
Name the subcomponent.
The Pause (a Strong Voice subcomponent).
“You shouldn’t be talking right now; this is independent work.”
Identify the issue with this phrasing and restate it.
Issue: highlights what not to do; unclear.
Rewrite: “This is independent work time. Work silently.”
Provide a Least Invasive Intervention for a student tapping their foot loudly.
Make eye contact and tap your own foot as a cue, or step closer.
A student begins packing up with 3 minutes left in the lesson.
What would you say or do to redirect using high behavioral expectations?
Give a What To Do direction: “Keep your materials out until I say to pack up.”
During a read-aloud, the teacher stands still but is looking only at the front row.
Which TLAC move should they add?
Increase Radar/Be Seen Looking: slow, intentional sweeps of the entire room.
Giving a consequence that is logical and connected to the behavior is part of this technique’s finer points.
Which technique is being referenced?
Art of the Consequence.
“Okay everyone, um… let’s, like, get started with your journals.”
Which TLAC principle of Strong Voice is missing?
Missing: Economy of Language (Strong Voice).
Strong version: “Take out your journals and begin.”
Give a one-sentence What To Do direction for lining up at the door.
“Push in your chair, walk to the door, and stand on your number.”
You give instructions and three students begin immediately, but others hesitate and look around.
What action would help ensure all students know the expectation?
Make Expectations Visible: model the step, repeat with clarity, or show an exemplar.
A teacher corrects a student loudly in front of the class, causing the student to shut down.
Which strategy would help them deliver corrections more effectively?
Apply Firm Calm Finesse or Least Invasive Intervention to preserve dignity.
This subtle TLAC move involves using eye contact or a tap on a desk before interrupting instruction verbally.
What concept is this describing?
Least Invasive Intervention.
Teacher says: “Stop doing that; you always do this during lessons.”
What correction technique needs refinement and why?
Needs: Firm Calm Finesse (avoid generalizations; stay calm, specific).
Better: “Right now, tracking the speaker is the expectation.”
State one nonverbal way to Make Expectations Visible during group work.
Hold up materials, point to posted directions, model team voice level.
A student refuses to begin the Do Now after two redirections.
What consequence or next step would be appropriate and aligned with TLAC?
Use the Art of the Consequence: provide a calm, logical consequence (e.g., a reflection minute or completing work during another time).
The teacher moves quickly through the room but is not noticing side conversations or off-task behavior.
What approach would help them maintain awareness and presence?
Strengthen Radar: purposeful scanning, controlled movement, strategic positioning.
This idea emphasizes how you fix a behavior—maintaining student dignity and emotional control while still being firm.
Which technique does this detail belong to?
Firm Calm Finesse.
A teacher gives a five-step direction all at once in a long sentence.
How could they apply What To Do more effectively?
Apply What To Do: break into clear, sequential, concise steps.
Deliver a calm, logical consequence for a student repeatedly using a Chromebook for games.
“You’ll finish this assignment without the Chromebook today and try again next block.”