Building on the work from @joboaler I've been having a lot of conversations with my students who keep announcing loudly, "That's easy!" As another kid pointed out, that can make you feel down on yourself if YOU don't find it easy... So I started suggesting replacements for this:

Instead of "that was easy," I can say: "This looks familiar." "I've seen problems like this before." "I recognize this type of problem." "I know how to solve this kind of problem. Do you?" (Or "would you like me to share my ideas?" If a partner doesn't think it's easy).

What other phrases would you suggest for students to replace "that's easy!" With, #MTBoS ? #iteachmath Specifically, this kept being shouted as the warm-up or launch went on the board & some kids instantly saw a connection to prior knowledge before others have made sense of Q!

@MrKitMath I have been struggling with this too! I love your idea of turning it into helping someone else if it’s easy for them. Perhaps you could also replace it with something like “I got the answer one way - I wonder if there’s another way to do it.”

@MrKitMath Let the Ss who think of the work as easy AND can explain it to you, TEACH THE OTHER STUDENTS. Let THEM be YOUR assistants! #iteachmath #mathchat #MTBoS 4/

@MrKitMath Now, go teach your Ss THEIR OWN POWER and tell them to stop worrying about everyone else except to see what new goals can be reached. #iteachmath #mathchat #MTBoS 10/

@MrKitMath Tell this S: “let’s find a way for this to be EASIER for YOU. Let’s see what is missing”. There could be any number of reasons why this S struggles. FIND OUT WHY or have someone help you find out why. #iteachmath #mathchat #MTBoS 9/

@MrKitMath A S who feels bad about himself bc of another’s success, gives away his power to grow and learn. Help him break that habit. #iteachmath #mathchat #MTBoS 8/

@MrKitMath If they get down on themselves because someone is ahead, and that is more likely than not, then they will ALWAYS BE DOWN on themselves. #iteachmath #mathchat #MTBoS 7/

@MrKitMath ...there will be people who are more advanced or less advanced at one thing or another. #iteachmath #mathchat #MTBoS 6/

@MrKitMath EVERYONE needs to teach children not to compare another’s success to his own. Ss need to understand that, FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES,... #iteachmath #mathchat #MTBoS 5/

@MrKitMath When a S says “that’s easy”, you know right away who needs help and who does not. They’re doing your job for you. #iteachmath #mathchat #MTBos 3/