A group of teachers and I were discussing how their students tend to get tricked by “Not” questions (e.g. Which answer is most probably not correct?). We decided to brainstorm a list of teaching opportunities across grade levels that can include the concept of the “NOT”.

§         When introducing a read –aloud pull out 3-4 new vocabulary words. Define the words before reading the text making sure to include a “not” example e.g. An audition is trying out in front of people for a part in a play. It is NOT singing or dancing in front of your family.

§         When creating centers in your classroom create a list of items that may or may not be found in the center. Create a 2 column chart labeling one column THINGS THAT WILL BE FOUND IN THE CENTER and the other column THINGS THAT PROBABLY WILL NOT BE FOUND IN THE CENTER. Sort the list with your students. Hang the chart in the center.

§         During daily routines when discussing the weather present it with a “NOT” example, e.g. It is a sunny day. It probably will not rain today or We most probably will not need an umbrella today.

§         Create a 3 column reading response sheet. In the first column have your students list the events that occurred either in the book or chapter they read. In the second column have your students list what most probably will or what most likely will happen based on those events. In column 3 list what most probably will NOT or what most likely will NOT happen based on those events.

This list is only a sample of the teaching possibilities around the “NOT” that we came up with but more importantly creating the list allowed us to see that it is “NOT” necessary to lose valuable instructional time when we prep our students for a test.