Congruent Communication - addresses situations, not students character or

personality. Effective teachers invite cooperation from their students:

describing the situation and indicating what needs to be done.

Teachers should use I-messages rather than you-messages.

I-message, example: I am very upset.

You-message, example: You are being very rude.

Evaluative praise, example: Good boy for raising your hand. Teachers
should use appreciative praise when responding to effort or improvement.
This is praise in which the teacher shows appreciation for what the student
has done, without directly evaluating the students character or talent.

Teachers should avoid asking why questions when discussing behavior.

Why questions make students feel guilty and defensive.