IT'S ALL ABOUT THE EFFORT!
If you want to get the very best out of your students in both academics and behaviors, having high expectations is key. According to John Hattie, an educational researcher and professor, Teacher Expectations of Learning (High Expectations) has an effect size of 1.29, the third highest only ranking below Collective Teacher Efficacy and Student’s Belief in the Ability to Learn.
For me, I reinforce my high expectations for students in many ways, but there are THREE things that I consistently remind my students in regards to their learning and behavior in school:
1. EFFORT - It is ALL about the EFFORT they give.
2. CHOICES - Each individual student is in control of their choices and must accept the outcome.
3. ACCOUNTABILITY - I consistently hold students ACCOUNTABLE for their choices in ALL THINGS.
This concept is foreign to many students, especially those who have parents that make decisions for them. Many kids are allowed to give a weak effort and still get a reward. While these discussions can begin in kindergarten, it seems that once kids get to 3rd grade, they begin to have a better understanding of how to take responsibility for their own academic progress and overall behavior.
Teaching Students Accountability
As a teacher, I put a big emphasis on ACCOUNTABILITY. Every single assignment turned in to me** is thoroughly checked and analyzed by me for accuracy, neatness, and EFFORT. If an assignment is not completed as directed, is not up to my neatness standards, looks rushed and lacks effort, I GIVE IT BACK.
**I do not collect everything that students complete. Many practice activities are just that, practice. I check that they are complete and make informal notes about students that need extra help.
Many students have it in their nature to always do their best. They take pride in their work and obsess over the small details. My high expectations for effort push these kids to challenge themselves. THEN there are students that turn in work without a second thought as to their effort and if they truly did their best.
"IT'S DONE"
“You can do better. Try again.”
By having kids improve their work, I learn what a student's TRUE abilities are. I know how far I can push them. I know what their BEST looks like. They learn that I have high expectations and I expect my students to reach them.
How to Teach Kids to Show Effort: Anchor Charts
To help students remember my expectations, I hang anchor charts in the front of my classroom that remind them of my expectations.
The first anchor chart reminds students of the expectations for work that will be turned in to me.
Name and Student #
Neat, Legible Print or Cursive
Best Effort
Etc.
The second anchor chart is an EFFORT rating chart. I will ask students, "How do you rate your work?" and they give me a response of 1-4. If they do not say 4, I ask them what they need to do to be a 4.
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Inspiration in the Classroom: Quote of the Week
Another way that I reinforce my message of effort and accountability, is with QUOTE OF THE WEEK activities. Each Monday, students are given a quote to analyze. All of the quotes for the first few weeks of the school year focus on EFFORT, CHOICES, and ACCOUNTABILITY. These quotes spark discussion and set a tone for the entire school year that supports my high expectations. I hang each quote on the wall once it has been discussed and refer to them as needed to remind students of my expectations for them and the expectations they should have for themselves.
My expectations for effort and always being/giving your best self begin on DAY 1. For some students, they welcome this challenge and are off and running immediately challenging themselves to learn and perform at high levels. For others, it takes longer. But they all get there at different times and in different ways. It is my goal that by day 180 of school, each and every student has worked toward holding themselves accountable to their own high level of learning and best behavior.
Ultimately, the message I want to send to my students is that, it is OK if you struggle with a concept, it is OK to not get everything right. If you did YOUR PERSONAL BEST then you have SUCCESS. My persistence shows my students that I care about them and I want them to be their BEST SELVES. Isn't that what teaching is all about?
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Have a Perfectly Grown Week!
