When I begin a new school year and greet my new students the most important thing I express to them in those first few days is that 1. It is ALL about the EFFORT they give. 2. They are in control of their choices and their own outcome. This concept is foreign to students who have parents that make decisions for them. Many kids are allowed to give a weak effort and still get a reward. The primary goal of grades K-2 is on the academic essentials of reading and number sense. Once kids get to 3rd grade there is a shift from learning essential skills to building on those academic basics and teaching kids to take responsibility for their own academic progress.
The first 10 weeks of school I introduce a QUOTE OF THE WEEK. Each quote focuses on EFFORT, CHOICES, and ATTITUDE. These quotes spark discussion and set the tone for the entire school year.
In the first 10 weeks of the school year 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. This is VERY TIME CONSUMING but sets the tone for the entire school year.
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" Sorry, not good enough. By making 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.
I hang anchor charts in the front of my classroom that remind the students of my expectations for turned in work. We discuss the EFFORT rating chart. I will often ask students, "How do you rate your work?" and they have to 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.
The ultimate message here 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 show my students that I care about them and I want them to be their BEST SELVES. Isn't that what teaching is all about?
**Quote of the Week FREEBIE can be accessed through my FREE STUFF tab. Enjoy!
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