Show Students You Care

Dr. Wendy Ghiora – Posting #23 – August 8, 2009

You have been introduced to ten of the most common factors essential to creating positive student engagement in the classroom. To review numbers 1-10, see http://teaching4achange.blogspot.com/, scroll down and read postings #17-22. Each of these is very important, however, the one that is foundational to the efficacy of all the rest is #11. It has to do with love.

11. Show Students Every Single Day Just How Much You Care About Them.

Student trust is pivotal to engagement and learning. When a student trusts a teacher, listening and participation increase. Love and caring creates this trust. Following are twelve action points to show your students you really care about them. Many teachers instinctively practice several of these actions routinely; for those that don’t, add them to your practice. You will be amazed at the positive results and the marked increase in student engagement in your classroom.

1.-Recognition: Compliment children for being kind and courteous and be courteous yourself: "Thanks for saying you're welcome."

2.-Clear Expectations: Let students know exactly what is expected of them, behaviorally and academically. Everyone works harder toward a known goal.

3.-Interest: Ask the child about something you know is important to him or her: "How was that Little League game you played last night?"

4.-Listening: When you see a child is upset, take time to speak privately with him or her. Really listen and learn what is going on. That action will be much appreciated.

5.-Contact: Find a way to make a personal contact with parents or caregivers as soon as possible after the start of the school year. Acknowledge the importance of their role and say something positive about each child.

6.-Communication: When you make eye contact with a child during the day, smile! If appropriate, lightly touch a child’s shoulder when you are about to speak to him. There are so many non-verbal ways that you can show you care.

7.-Comfortability: Kneel next to the child to communicate with him or her. Speaking from on high can be distancing; it can feel intimidating or uncomfortable to the child.

8.-Personal: Bring in stories of your own experiences that relate to what you're teaching. "I know how frightening it was for Hansel and Gretel to get lost in the woods. It happened to me one time!"

9.-High Expectations: Require the best from your students; give challenging and unique assignments. Your departure from mediocrity demonstrates true concern for students’ education and your passion for the subject matter. Accept nothing less.

10.-Respect: Listen carefully when students make comments in class and respond in a respectful manner, even when you must offer correction.

11.-Acknowledgement: Acknowledge even small steps made toward a goal. Compliment specific improvement in a skill or knowledge demonstrated. Show enthusiasm and encouragement for the effort and progress your students are making. This shows the child you are watching and expecting him to make it all the way.

12.-Friendship: Always be willing to go the extra mile. When you spend extra time outside of class, meeting with students before or after school, or even attending events a child is participating in outside of school, it truly means the world to them. You may be the only cheerleader or role model in their life. Give all you can, and cheer loudly!

How will I put all these ideas into action? This may seem a daunting task at first, but it’s really much easier than it may seem. For example: #1 Recognition. You can begin this right away, the first day of school. As students are seated and you are ready to begin, start complimenting and recognizing good behavior. “Johnny, I like the way your eyes are focused up here. It shows you are ready to learn.” “Sally, I like the way you have your pencil and paper out. You are well prepared for today’s lesson.” #2 Clear Expectations; you will announce these at the beginning of each lesson. “This morning, ladies and gentlemen, we are going to learn how to read different types of thermometers. By the end of the lesson, you will know how to teach another person how to read at least three different types of thermometers, and also explain what each thermometer is measuring.”

You will implement the rest of these points as you guide your students over the course of the year. If you want to be sure you are using them all, pick out one or two and make a concerted effort to use the selected points on a specific day. Pretty soon, they will all become second nature to you. You will be able to feel the difference in the new relationship you have with your class. You and your students will truly be working as a team toward the same high expectations.

Next weekend you will learn about point #12. This is an additional factor that can lead to outstanding results in student engagement and academic progress.