ok?

the word/phrase/question/statement that is "ok". hmmm. i need to stop saying that.

i have come to the point of noticing when i say it and when other teachers say it and it is really annoying.

"next we are going to do math, ok?" , "we are going to move on to reading now, ok?".

when i have said it and also when other teachers say it, we/they are not actually asking for permission. it is a very empty, weak "ok".

other times that it is overused is when checking in with a student.

"your assignment is page 130, numbers 1-5, ok?" is just doesn't sound right, natural, or even remotely intelligent.

to replace "ok" i have started saying nothing at all for the most part. the same statements are just as clear and you sound smarter.

if i feel like i need an answer i will say "do you understand?" instead. this not only forces the student to engage with the teacher in some sort of dialogue and let the teacher know if they actually do understand, but also is no longer "asking for permission" from the students, like with "ok".