Benefits of Using Positive Affirmations in the Classroom. What are the benefits of using positive affirmations in the classroom?
Chances are, if you landed on this blog post, you wonder about the impact of positive thinking on student achievement. As a teacher, though, you aren’t sure if the benefits of using positive affirmations in the classroom are worth your time. Let’s face it, you have 16 hours worth of material to cover in a 6 or 7 hour day, right? Are the benefits of using “I statements” enough to warrant chipping away at your precious (and limited) time? To help you make an informed decision, here are some research findings about the effects of positive affirmations.
Should teachers reward students for doing what they’re “supposed” to do? I wanted to do a Truth For Teachers episode about how to reward students responsibly: how to reward them in a way that considers the long term results and the type of character and work ethic we’re building in kids, not just how to get compliance here in the moment.
And I realized that before I could even do something like that, I needed to first address the question of whether teachers should be rewarding kids at all. Why? Because “reward” has become a bad word in many education circles. Want to listen to this post instead of read? Click the player above! I once had a district science administrator conduct a walk-through in my classroom during my lunch period–surprise!!
I exclaimed loudly, “These students completed every one of their homework assignments for the ENTIRE week, so they get to spend their Friday lunch block eating with me in the room!” I beamed. The administrator, with a broad fake grin and an over-enthusiastic tone that dripped with sarcasm, replied slowly, “Woooowww! P.S. The Effect of Rewards and Motivation on Student Achievement. Ways to Encourage Good Behavior, Without the Prizes or Treats. Looking for creative ways to reward positive classroom behavior?
So was primary teacher JL when she wrote in with this question: “In previous years I have rewarded my students with special recognition for positive classroom behavior. This year, however, my students are expressing a strong expectation to be given something tangible instead (treats and goodies). I want them to learn to do the right thing for the sake of being a quality person, not just for something in return.
I would love to hear thoughts and ideas about how to handle this.” The experienced teachers in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE! 1. Classroom. The Advantages of Rewards in the Classroom. An effective behavior modification system within the classroom often includes rewards.
Students are motivated to achieve and conform to appropriate behaviors when either intrinsically or extrinsically rewarded. Those students who prefer intrinsic motivation enjoy praise, personally challenging projects and accomplishing educational tasks just for the love of learning. An extrinsic approach requires more tangible rewards such as pencils, erasers, stickers and sometimes candy. Whole Class Rewards That Aren’t Food. Why is it important to have a classroom reward system? Many new teachers wonder if they need to have a classroom reward system.
The short answer is yes, to an extent. Using rewards as a part of classroom management isn’t mandatory, but there are reasons to consider doing so. For one, motivating young students to participate in their own learning can be difficult. Having them practice good behavior on a daily basis can be even harder. We’ll start by looking at some advantages of having a classroom reward system. Advantages of having a classroom reward system Why is it important to have a class point system? Whether we like it or not, humans need motivation. This is a tough concept for little kids and even some adults. Although it’s good to encourage students to become intrinsically motivated, it’s also worth noting that extrinsic motivators are important, too.
When should you consider implementing a classroom reward system? If you’re struggling with any of the following classroom issues, consider implementing a reward system: The pay-off Set goals. 5 Steps to Using Classroom Reward Systems in a Meaningful Way. Encouraging intrinsic motivation, resilience, and independence.
These are a few of the golden markers of teacher “success” that we so often hold ourselves up against. They form yet another set of skills we need to help develop in our students, along with literacy and numeracy skills, inquiry and critical thinking skills, social skills, creativity and so on and so forth. Whoa! Teaching small humans really is everything! But, there’s no need to stress… Rather than trying to fit explicit teaching of motivation and resilience into an already crowded curriculum, you can make the practice of these life-long skills an innate part of the day-to-day processes, activities and overall ‘vibe’ of your classroom.