One teacher issues commands, not requests, to get all students' attention -- and compliance.
"I try to issue instructions in the form of a command, not a question. Some students interpret 'Would you open your math books to page 45?' as a choice. But when I skip 'would you,' all books are opened. The same is true with my own children. 'Why don't you wash up for dinner now?' never results in clean hands."
-Karen Sunderhaft, fourth-grade teacher, Shaker Heights, Ohio