Strategy Reflection #3 Reinforcing Effort & Providing Recognition

What?

In my classroom I tend to use more verbal recognition than concrete recognition. When I am lecturing and my students answer a question or read from a selection of text for me, I tell them things such as, "good job" and "very good." I decided to implement more concrete recognition into my classroom. Since our district is strict with providing students with candy coming up with something for high school aged students was difficult since they enjoy candy. I tried to find something that would recognize them in a way that would make them feel appreciated.

So What?

I decided to write my students notes. On our campus we have post cards called "Skeeter Shout Outs." The purpose of these shout outs is to promote recognition to our students and staff. When we recognize our students we are instructed to write the note and then send them home to their parents praising their child for their good work. I decided that instead of sending the cards home to parents I was going to personally deliver them to my students. I have only a handful of students in each of my classes that will happily read for me. I decided to first start in my freshmen World Geography class. I asked for volunteers to read and as usual, the same 3 students were the only ones who were willing to read. Once we finished the lesson and they began their work, I took time to write a shout out to each of them. In the cards I thanked each of them for their help in teaching the lesson and I told them how much I appreciated their hard work. I then gave the card to each of them. One girl jokingly told me that the card was going to make her cry because it was so sweet. One of the other students I wrote a card to is usually a handful in class, but even the defiant students could benefit from recognition. When I handed him his card he was thankful. He kept telling me over and over again that he was going to show it to his uncle as soon as he got home.

Now What?

I enjoyed the immediate reaction of giving my students the cards instead of mailing them home. I felt that I was able to personalize the card by hand delivering them to my students. When we send them home we can't see our students reactions. I feel that the cards helped my students to feel appreciated and recognized. I will continue to fill out the cards and hand them to my students instead of mailing them home. For one it saves the district money and then it also allows my students to receive recognition after they complete a task. I realized that concrete recognition lasts longer and is much more rewarding that what candy can provide my students.