Positive reinforcement and authentic praise are the best ways to let a student know that they are on the right track! In this post, I’m going to list my easiest and most frequently used ways of letting my students know “JOB WELL DONE!”
1. Verbal and Nonverbal Recognition
This is the quickest and easiest way to let a student know that you see them and their effort. Little ones especially love silly words like WOWZA! As you get to know your students, you will learn what works best for them.
Here are just a few ideas for you!
- Verbal ideas…
- Woohoo
- I like how you ______
- Wowza
- You worked so hard
- I love that creativity
- Keep it up
- Look at you go
- That is impressive
- How do you feel about that?
- Don’t forget to tell mom/dad
- Amazing! What will you do next?
- Nonverbal ideas…
- Thumbs up
- Pat on the shoulder
- Applause
- Funny face…eyes and mouth open wide!
- Fist bump
- Handshake
- Hug
- High Five
2. Free Book Tickets/Free Book Drawing
I distribute free book tickets throughout the week for participation, behavior, small rewards, and more! Then, on Friday, we have our Free Book Drawing. Read more about that HERE!! Most of my books cost $1.00 and come from Scholastic Book Clubs or the Dollar Tree (which occasionally has some amazing nonfiction National Geographic books…be sure to check often!) These are all reading texts…sometimes I grab coloring/craft/activity books for my prize box (read more on that one below!)
3. Prize Box
My prize box is simple, yet highly sought after! It’s a small plastic tub filled with small treats I’ve collected over the years. My big “treasure chest” focus is our Free Book Treasure Chest listed above, but this little box has things like free sticker pages I’ve received in various mailings, leftover bracelets from our Fun Run, trinket rings from various holidays, leftover materials from literacy or math nights, various book marks from activities over the years, coloring/craft/activity books from the dollar store, leftovers from holiday celebrations, pencils, and more! Sometimes, I call a kiddo back to choose a prize randomly and it’s also a choice in my Reward Catalog (read on to find out more!)
4. Reward Note Card
I love handing out these cute note cards to students for effort, perseverance, and more! I write a quick note on the back so they can share it with family when they get home. I keep a stack of them cut and ready to go. I also keep a class list nearby and mark the date that I give each student a card. My aim is to get EVERYBODY a reward card before I start a second round. Check out my Sports Note Cards and my Animal Note Cards in my TpT store!
5. Punch Cards and Reward Catalog
Each of my students have a punch card (various designs are FREE in my TpT store) that they keep in their notebook. They can receive punches for good behavior, returning homework, and more! Once their punch card is full, they shop through our REWARD CATALOG, which is one of my very favorite things in my classroom! It’s a big hit with the kids and they love to show it to their parents during Open House and Conferences!
6. Parent Contact
This can mean a phone call, a quick chat after school, a note on their weekly report, one of my reward note cards…anything that means I let their parent know about something good!
7. Friday Choice Time
The last twenty minutes of our day on Friday consist of Friday Choice Time. You can read more about my Friday Choice Time HERE! It’s a fun time where kids can play, chat, build, or draw and I often join in and play some games with them, too!
I hope this give you some good ideas for your own classroom!
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Practical Primary Teacher ~ Jennifer
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