When we are specific with our words children learn the cause and effect of their own actions. I said to a child "Thank you for pushing in your chair, now no one will trip over it." The child knows why it is important to push in the chair, and what he has done to make our classroom a safer place.
I appreciate you! Yes you, the reader of this blog. You make a difference in the lives of the children you touch. Thank you for making a difference with your children. You are the best!
How can I see this differently - I have done this myself when it comes to changing grades for failing students, who are making an effort. It is easier just to change their grades to passing than to deal with other issues that arise with these grades.
Effort has value! It is an integral part of the learning process and in my opinion it is too often overlooked. Do we only value the answer, I hope not. I want my students to value the process and their efforts in striving for the answer. "Thank you for trying, for giving it your best effort" I believe students should be rewarded for being willing to give it a try, for not just giving up. Effort makes a good student into a great one.
It seems like many students just want to please everyone: themselves, their friends, and their teachers. I think it's nice when we we take a moment here at school, to show that we value them as a person, and not just our students. It's amazing to me to see what kind acts really do happen at our school and how polite and thoughtful these kids are! From a simple to big acts of kindness, we need to recognize our students right there in the moment!
Today I used the words "I appreciate your efforts in being honest in admitting your use of an inappropriate word" with one of my students. Her reaction turned from one of being extremely upset to one of accepting her wrong doing. It was important to her to know that she was being affirmed for doing right in the midst of a mistake.
Regardless of the outcome, putting forth a solid effort is such an incredibly positive character trait. Effort and perseverance are two attributes that can become wonderful 'habits' when given encouragement and coaching at a young age. Acknowledging appreciation of a solid effort let's students know that the effort is what will help them find success in any endeavor.
This really made me think about ways I could use this kind of specific thanks more often. I started brainstorming all the little things I could show appreciation for that would lead to having to repeat myself less often because their internal talk will encourage them to continue to be more thoughtful and responsible.
These last three snippets are really thought provoking. I know I tell kids thank you for the things they do and that I appreciate them, though I don't specifically tell them that what they did helped me.... I can see why the evaluative praise would make kids always seek approval, but I still think we need a "good job" once in awhile. I know I do....
Believe it or, as an elementary student I was afraid to say anything, Yes ME! I guess that is why I am so vocal. I do not want my students to be afraid to answer or ask questions so I praise them for sharing or taking a risk in my classroom. I think it is very important to teach children to always try!
I was really glad to see that so many comments were posted on this. Many students have negative self talk that comes out of them all the time. I feel that as teachers we can really make a difference by telling them how much we appreciate the little things that they do. Some students appear to want to be pleasers more than others seem to, but I feel that all of our students tend to glow and feel good about themselves when we tell them we appreciated something that they have done for us, a friend or the class.
It is so important for us as teachers to make sure we are building a sense of confidence in our students by providing them with credible and accurate feedback. All children deserve to hear some sort of compliments from people who matter to them. We should look for performance and non-performance strengths.
This was a great reinforcer of specific positive feedback. It is so important for us to take the extra 5-10 words and praise our students specifically instead of generally.
I really liked this excerpt. I always make sure to praise my students daily for their efforts in helping me, helping each other and doing their best work. I now realize when I say, "good job", as opposed to "Thank you for taking your time on your handwriting", that my comment is left for interpretation. I will now be more aware to praise my students with specific comments about what they are doing. The students definitely light up when they know that they helped me out!
17 Comments:
When we are specific with our words children learn the cause and effect of their own actions. I said to a child "Thank you for pushing in your chair, now no one will trip over it." The child knows why it is important to push in the chair, and what he has done to make our classroom a safer place.
I appreciate you! Yes you, the reader of this blog. You make a difference in the lives of the children you touch. Thank you for making a difference with your children. You are the best!
How can I see this differently - I have done this myself when it comes to changing grades for failing students, who are making an effort. It is easier just to change their grades to passing than to deal with other issues that arise with these grades.
Effort has value! It is an integral part of the learning process and in my opinion it is too often overlooked. Do we only value the answer, I hope not. I want my students to value the process and their efforts in striving for the answer. "Thank you for trying, for giving it your best effort" I believe students should be rewarded for being willing to give it a try, for not just giving up. Effort makes a good student into a great one.
It seems like many students just want to please everyone: themselves, their friends, and their teachers. I think it's nice when we we take a moment here at school, to show that we value them as a person, and not just our students. It's amazing to me to see what kind acts really do happen at our school and how polite and thoughtful these kids are! From a simple to big acts of kindness, we need to recognize our students right there in the moment!
Today I used the words "I appreciate your efforts in being honest in admitting your use of an inappropriate word" with one of my students. Her reaction turned from one of being extremely upset to one of accepting her wrong doing. It was important to her to know that she was being affirmed for doing right in the midst of a mistake.
The coins have helped to be more specific with the praise. The student needs to know why they are receiving the coin.
Regardless of the outcome, putting forth a solid effort is such an incredibly positive character trait. Effort and perseverance are two attributes that can become wonderful 'habits' when given encouragement and coaching at a young age. Acknowledging appreciation of a solid effort let's students know that the effort is what will help them find success in any endeavor.
This really made me think about ways I could use this kind of specific thanks more often. I started brainstorming all the little things I could show appreciation for that would lead to having to repeat myself less often because their internal talk will encourage them to continue to be more thoughtful and responsible.
I agree with Lyn. I don't use the coins often, but when I do I am stating a specific skill or action that I am praising when I give out that coin.
These last three snippets are really thought provoking. I know I tell kids thank you for the things they do and that I appreciate them, though I don't specifically tell them that what they did helped me.... I can see why the evaluative praise would make kids always seek approval, but I still think we need a "good job" once in awhile. I know I do....
Believe it or, as an elementary student I was afraid to say anything, Yes ME!
I guess that is why I am so vocal.
I do not want my students to be afraid to answer or ask questions so I praise them for sharing or taking a risk in my classroom. I think it is very important to teach children to always try!
I was really glad to see that so many comments were posted on this. Many students have negative self talk that comes out of them all the time. I feel that as teachers we can really make a difference by telling them how much we appreciate the little things that they do. Some students appear to want to be pleasers more than others seem to, but I feel that all of our students tend to glow and feel good about themselves when we tell them we appreciated something that they have done for us, a friend or the class.
It is so important for us as teachers to make sure we are building a sense of confidence in our students by providing them with credible and accurate feedback. All children deserve to hear some sort of compliments from people who matter to them. We should look for performance and non-performance strengths.
This was a great reinforcer of specific positive feedback. It is so important for us to take the extra 5-10 words and praise our students specifically instead of generally.
I agree with Lyn, the coins really help me to verbally praise children in doing the right thing.
I really liked this excerpt. I always make sure to praise my students daily for their efforts in helping me, helping each other and doing their best work. I now realize when I say, "good job", as opposed to "Thank you for taking your time on your handwriting", that my comment is left for interpretation. I will now be more aware to praise my students with specific comments about what they are doing. The students definitely light up when they know that they helped me out!
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