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The Power of Positivity
In the Secondary Classroom
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Praise versus Encouragement
Praise - to express approval or admiration of;commend;
extol.
Praise is usually given to a child when a task is completedand
well-done
Encourage - to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc .
Encouragement, therefore, focuses on student efforts
Encouragement does not place judgment on student
work or give information regarding its value orimplications of
student status.
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Specifics of Encouragement Offers specific feedback rather than
general comments. For
example, instead of saying, "Terrific job," teachers can comment
onspecific behaviors that they wish to acknowledge.
Is teacher-initiated and private. Privacy increases the
potential foran honest exchange of ideas and an opportunity for the
student totalk about his or her work.
Focuses on improvement and efforts rather than evaluation of
afinished product.
Uses sincere, direct comments delivered with a natural voice.
Does not set students up for failure. Labels such as "nice" or
"terrific" set students up for failure because they cannot
always be"nice" or "terrific".
Helps students develop an appreciation of their behaviors
andachievements.
Avoids competition or comparisons with others. Works toward
self-satisfaction from a task or product.
From http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-9213/praise.htm
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Effective vs. IneffectiveEncouragement
EffectiveEncouragement
IneffectiveEncouragement
Specifies the praiseworthy aspectsof the student's
accomplishments
Is general or global, not specifyingthe success.
Is given for genuine effort,progress, or accomplishmentwhich are
judged according tostandards appropriate toindividuals.
Is given based on comparisonswith others and without regard
tothe effort expended or significanceof the accomplishment of
anindividual.
Is expressed sincerely, showingspontaneity, variety and
othernon-verbal signs of credibility.
Is expressed blandly withoutfeeling or animation, and relyingon
stock, perfunctory phrases.
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Effective vs. IneffectiveEncouragement cont.
EffectiveEncouragement
IneffectiveEncouragement
Helps students to better appreciatetheir thinking,
problem-solvingand performance.
Orients students towardcomparing themselves with others.
Encourages students to appreciatetheir accomplishments for
theeffort they expend and theirpersonal gratification.
Encourages students to succeedfor external reasons -- to
pleasethe teacher, win a competition orreward, etc.
From http://www.adprima.com/managing.htm
http://www.adprima.com/managing.htmhttp://www.adprima.com/managing.htm
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The Sandwich Method
Positive feedback can be a great opportunity toprovide
constructive criticism.
This method sets goals while recognizing the successthat is
already evident.
Start off with a good characteristic of the person, orspecial
gift they have. Then, put in the "but". Thenalways end it with
another good point
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Ideas for Positive Feedback Letters Home
A handwritten note can be a source of continuingencouragement --
long after spoken words of praise have beenforgotten.
Letters or notes build a solid foundation for a
positiverelationship between the teacher, student, and home
Send letters to parents for students who show extended
progressover a period of time a sample guideline is if a student
gainsten percentage points or more during or a quarter.
Also consider sending out letters to students who have
demonstrated outstanding progress outside of the classroom
inathletic or cultural events.
Pick two students each week who have contributed positively
toyour class and call their parents to congratulate them
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Ideas for Positive Feedback
Notes on Student Work
Short positive notes on student tests and papers arean excellent
way to reach students who are
remarkably steady in their academic work. Remember to also
praise and encourage advanced
students their work is equally deserving of
positivefeedback!
Example from my own experiences
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Finding Positives in ANYTHING
Get into pairs or groups of three so that you havetwo
groups.
Each group will then read their assigned story,
which we will pretend is something that astruggling student has
turned into them to begraded.
Work with your group to come up with at leastTWO remarks of
encouragement to write on thestudent work!
