- Preparation is the key to success!
- Prepare over and over to the point where mistakes are not an option.
- Don't dampen the students' energy, enthusiasm, and dreams... have faith in them
- Place confidence in the hearts and minds of children
HOW-- Classroom Confidence Builders:
"Pyramid of Pride"Post work around the school
AR strategy w/ pictures
Sargent's Stars! (love this)
Praise
Allow opportunities for success
I use my "A Wall" like his Pyramid of Pride... but without quite so much flair! haha
ReplyDeleteI try to praise & make a big deal out of all effort because this class doesn't like to give their best.
I want to do the pictures for AR next year. I really stink at encouraging this program.
Choices! Giving lots of variety on how students produce work. Let them do it according to what they think their strengths are.
ReplyDeleteMaybe even a personal word web: Instead of a word in the middle, it would be a pic of themselves. Every time they think about something they like and learnabout themselves they can add to it.
I LOVE this idea
DeleteOne way is that I make and own mistakes in front of them.
ReplyDeleteI also try to create a "safe" place so that students are willing to take risks.
Another place that I have seen a huge increase in confidence is my divided math group. Peers teaching peers has increased confidence and motivation. Paige in particular has really grown. She struggles with a ld but she works very hard and because she struggles, she is a great peer teacher. Timarrius also likes to teach others and he does his work but it is usually incorrect so teaching others forces him to take his time and try to be correct.
My weekly jobs seem to build confidence as well. Students rotate each week through jobs and some of them take pride in them and do very well.
Sometimes I will leave little thank you notes on the desks of students-thanking them for having a clean desk or cubby, performing an act of kindness, turning in excellent work, etc. They love these and I find them taped in their agenda pads or in their leadership binders or hanging in their lockers so I know that they appreciate them.
I also use "I love you but..." many times when I am correcting or redirecting. Knowing that you are loved builds confidence.
I find it a bit weird that almost every single student loves to read aloud in my class. Only 2 are on 5th grade level and it is ALWAYS painful for me to listen but they all want to read aloud. Of course I read aloud to them many times every day so that may help them feel safe and confident.
This group has really taught me a lot this year!
I like the "Thank You" note idea, a lot!
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