Also, star students in my larger classes get fun pencils and erasers as rewards. They eat it up. Part of it is that praise, or acknowledgement, and the other part is the actual reward.
Showing posts with label props. Show all posts
Showing posts with label props. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
TT: Small Rewards
Teacher Tip: Don't underestimate the power of small rewards. The students in my all-boys ,small group go crazy over stickers. Granted, my collection is awesome-- from animals to Spider-Man to patterned stars, hearts and excellent jobs!-- but even I, who acknowledges that middle school students of all grades thoroughly enjoy stickers, am surprised!
I had an honor system, but I have to seize control of the situation because two of the five are lying about how many they've taken. It's not that serious, but its the principle. I will teach it!
Also, star students in my larger classes get fun pencils and erasers as rewards. They eat it up. Part of it is that praise, or acknowledgement, and the other part is the actual reward.
Also, star students in my larger classes get fun pencils and erasers as rewards. They eat it up. Part of it is that praise, or acknowledgement, and the other part is the actual reward.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Positivity and Rewards
Something I value deeply is positivity. One way I bring positivity into my classroom is by focusing on the good. This year, my co-teacher and I are using props to quickly celebrate and show resect to the class or specific students. Teacher calls two claps! We all double clap creating a positive energy.
Last year I used snaps and student of the week celebrations. Every Friday, I would choose a member of each of my small classes and spend thirty seconds acknowledging something they did well. For one student it was coming to school at the end of first period instead of just before third, for another it was doing all her homework for the week, and for one kid it was for politely correcting students' rude behaviors. I would start off saying, "This student is someone who...." By the end of my spiel, the students would have thrown out a few guesses, and the room would be charged by the time I did say who it was. After I'd announced the student of the week, I'd present them with a star student sticker-- love that Target dollar section!-- and he would riffle through my prize box as the class celebrated him with snaps.
Despite the busy and rigorous year ahead, it's nice to tie some of the positivity and acknowledgement that has kept me going on these years.
Love,
Miss M
Last year I used snaps and student of the week celebrations. Every Friday, I would choose a member of each of my small classes and spend thirty seconds acknowledging something they did well. For one student it was coming to school at the end of first period instead of just before third, for another it was doing all her homework for the week, and for one kid it was for politely correcting students' rude behaviors. I would start off saying, "This student is someone who...." By the end of my spiel, the students would have thrown out a few guesses, and the room would be charged by the time I did say who it was. After I'd announced the student of the week, I'd present them with a star student sticker-- love that Target dollar section!-- and he would riffle through my prize box as the class celebrated him with snaps.
Despite the busy and rigorous year ahead, it's nice to tie some of the positivity and acknowledgement that has kept me going on these years.
Love,
Miss M
Friday, September 14, 2012
tgif!
It's Friday!
The kids were especially energetic today. One boy even got his foot stuck under his chair this morning. As my co-teacher taught, my paraprofessional circulated, I calmly instructed him to remove his shoe, moved the desk, he shifted a little and his foot was free. How did that happen? Who knows! You gotta just act first and then smile later sometimes. I'm learning that working with six graders is a lot different than the usually over-age seventh and eighth graders I'm used to teaching.
That and I was asked to write a recommendation for a girl. She wants to join the school's esteemed robotic club. Two claps! (That's one of the props my co-teacher and I use with our classes.)
Okay, time for happy hour and dinner.
Love.
Miss M
The kids were especially energetic today. One boy even got his foot stuck under his chair this morning. As my co-teacher taught, my paraprofessional circulated, I calmly instructed him to remove his shoe, moved the desk, he shifted a little and his foot was free. How did that happen? Who knows! You gotta just act first and then smile later sometimes. I'm learning that working with six graders is a lot different than the usually over-age seventh and eighth graders I'm used to teaching.
That and I was asked to write a recommendation for a girl. She wants to join the school's esteemed robotic club. Two claps! (That's one of the props my co-teacher and I use with our classes.)
Okay, time for happy hour and dinner.
Love.
Miss M
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)