Saturday, October 25, 2014

Spark Student Motivation: Student Goal Setting

You did it! You made it to the weekend! Can you believe October is almost over? 
I already feel like this year is flying by!
Let's spark some student motivation!
 Every year I have my students set goals and usually they're yearly goals, but I wanted them to make some short terms goals at the end of the grading period for the next grading period.
We discussed the importance of looking at what we've accomplished (as a team and individually) and what we hope to achieve this nine weeks.
I explained that writing goals holds us more accountable and can help put us on the right track.
I wanted my students to take ownership of their own learning by setting their own goals and hopes for the next grading period. I stressed the importance of participation and its correlation to learning. Some of my not so eager participators agreed to tally and keep track of their participation to see where they can improve. I explained that in order to participate, you have to listen and be engaged, which means you're learning! :)
 
I met with each student individually to share their grades. I think it's important to share their averages with their letter grade because some As were right at the cut off point or some Cs were very close to being a B. They know they have to start over for the new grading period, but with a little double checking and rereading it could make the difference. :) Sometimes it could average out to be just getting one extra question right on each assignment to improve the nine weeks letter grade. (This sounded very doable to my students and they thought it would be easy!) I like putting things in perspective for them.
 I love the honesty of this student. She expresses her feelings about the difficulty of science and how she plans to make sure she gets an A again.
 This student wants to work on his quiz grade and improve his rating of reading at home. How cute is it that he gave himself a 9 on his homework because he does it every day at 2:10! :) We get out at 2:05, so he must go home and complete his homework immediately!
 I LOVE this student's accomplishments! I work so hard at building a class family and that's the first thing she wrote! We're also working on an anti-bullying campaign. I also like that she appreciates that we have a routine and never give up! They could write class accomplishments and/or individual accomplishments.
This student is an avid reader and has 250 Reading Counts points and is planning to double his points next nine weeks. We brainstormed how to set realistic goals and how to achieve them.
For example if they only earned 30 Reading Counts points, it would be unrealistic to set a goal of 200 points for this quarter.
 
They loved setting these goals actually! Most were pleased to see their grades (report cards haven't officially been released) and what they've accomplished already in this short time.
 
Would you like to use these goal setting forms with your students? Grab them here. I've included a form for Reading Counts and Accelerated Reader. I also added parent signature and comments. I had several parents text or write notes that they loved the idea of their child setting goals for themselves and also how they would help their child at home too. :)


I hope you had a wonderful week! Please link up any lessons, ideas, tips, tricks, incentives, ANYTHING you do get your students motivated or excited!
Don't forget to grab my button and link back to this post!
Check out all the wonderful ideas from my friends who link up and don't forget to leave some love by commenting....we LOVE comments!
***Please include the topic in the link up with your blog name.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Spark Student Motivation: Participation Signs

Encouraging others and praising others' ideas is a big part of my classroom, so I'd like to share an easy way I promote this: PARTICIPATION SIGNS!
 
 
I designed these signs because these are "common sayings" I use in our classroom every day!
Now I have a prop!
I love audience participation and these signs take it one step further. (Plus, the kids think they're fun!)
 I like to use these signs when I introduce something new to my class or to highlight a student's deep thinking. I actually used them at open house too when I showed our parents some of the features of our classroom! :)
 

They love holding the signs to praise each other too! They presented their biographies this week and they wanted to give each other recognition.
Applause Sign=Happy Student!

Let's be honest...who wouldn't feel good after getting a "WHOOP WHOOP" after being nervous about presenting in front of your entire class??!!

These signs make everyone smile!
I leave them on the chalk tray of my board for easy access to use at any celebratory moment!



I created these signs as posters and cut them in half and glued them on foam board. They are reversible, so I can flip the OOOOOH and AHHHHHH signs over.
You could make them on legal sized paper or poster board for you classroom.
**You'll get a very exciting response! :)

I hope you had a wonderful week! Please link up any lessons, ideas, tips, tricks, incentives, ANYTHING you do get your students motivated or excited!
Don't forget to grab my button and link back to this post!
Check out all the wonderful ideas from my friends who link up and don't forget to leave some love by commenting....we LOVE comments!
***Please include the topic in the link up with your blog name.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Spark Student Motivation: Spirit Sticks!

Spirit Sticks on Saturday for Spark Student Motivation! I love alliteration!
 I made these spirit sticks this summer and now have introduced them to my class! This is probably one of most favorite additions to my classroom!!
So bright and colorful, these sticks just scream celebration!
We celebrated our accomplishments for Reading Counts this week! Reading Counts has been up and running for about 3 weeks now and my kids are LOVIN' it! We cheered for each student as they earned their certificate for each point club.


I added these certificates this summer to my Reading Counts posters bulletin board pack and I'm so glad I did! I had a few texts from parents to tell me their child's certificate(s) were already proudly displayed on their refrigerator!
I plan to recognize point club milestones once a week. Once a week to make the certificates and pass out the spirit sticks will be the least disruptive and give my students something to look forward to.
I give incentives/certificates for every 50 points, except the first point club in my class is only 25 points to get them started. I have a reading machine who hit the 200 point club this week!!! He's going to be off my vertical point club board my Christmas!! (I only made mine to go up to 500 points!)
Spirit Sticks will get ANYONE & EVERONE excited! I even used them for our faculty kickoff at preplanning!

I hope you had a wonderful week! Please link up any lessons, ideas, tips, tricks, incentives, ANYTHING you do get your students motivated or excited!
Don't forget to grab my button and link back to this post!
Check out all the wonderful ideas from my friends who link up and don't forget to leave some love by commenting....we LOVE comments!
***Please include the topic in the link up with your blog name.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Fall Reading Organizers, Reading Counts & Accelerated Reader Bulletin Board Kits, Prime & Composite Numbers Scoot, and a FREEBIE

 SERIOUS PIN TO WIN OPPORTUNITIES!!!
5 CHANCES TO WIN PLUS A BIG WINNER!!!
 
New products, an updated product, and a FREEBIE!

I present to you my new Fall Reading Graphic Organizers! These 30 organizers can be used with any text! I know it's the simple things that get our students excited and for some reason, themed organizers do just that! :)



If you already own my Reading Counts & Accelerated Reader Bulletin Board, please go to TPT under your purchases and download again for the added goodies!
***I've added certificates (several styles and for different occasions), parent weekly & monthly progress reports, bookmarks to keep track of minutes read, books read, future reads, and more!
I now how this set available in different colors too! This is perfect for a vertical bulletin board! I made this for my class a few years ago because I wanted spotlight my students, but we had limited space in our classrooms.
 
It's now available in colored polka dot and chevron.
Click HERE for POLKA DOT.                             Click HERE for CHEVRON
 
I also made a cute white stitched black banner for under your chalkboard or under your window!
 Click HERE to check out this addition that will match all classroom décor!

 
And, we how have two more Scoot Games added to our collection:
Prime & Composite Numbers-I like this one because it's super quick and an easy way for me to assess my students' learning.
Click HERE!
  
I love to incorporate Scoot at least once a week in our classroom because the kids love it and I love it! It gets the kids moving, EVERYONE is engaged, quick and easy assessment tool, can be used as an introduction, review, or assessment. If they "scoot" individually, it's SILENT! {insert happy face}
 
Are you a "Scoot" fan? Or, maybe you want to try it out? Here's a FREEBIE for you!
Please leave some love if you download. :)
Click HERE.


PIN TO WIN ONE OR ALL! Pin ANY of the images for each product. I will give away one of each product! Winners will be notified/announced on Wednesday! You can enter all pin URLs in one comment. Be sure to include your email if you aren't a blogger so I can send you your prize if you're the winner!
ONE WINNER WILL GET ALL NEW THREE PRODUCTS!!!
1-Fall Graphic Organizers, 1-Reading Counts/Accelerated Reader Kit (Your choice of color) and 1-Prime & Composite Numbers Scoot Game!!

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Spark Student Motivation: Student Medals

Happy Saturday Friends!
I have another simple idea for you!
 I posted about these medals before, but I wanted to share an idea that I shared with another teacher who wanted to use the medal idea too.
 
I bought my medals at Target a few years ago, but I found some on Amazon here if you're interested. 
You customize the circles the same size as the medal and insert them in the plastic case. I changed my ribbons last year from the red, white, and blue stripe to the black with white stitching (my favorite ribbon for everything!).
I told my students to try their best on their big math test and anyone who scored an A, B, or C could wear the medal for the day. This little incentive excited my students!


**(Wait...do you see the newest addition to our classroom? Yes, that high heel chair behind that proud student!! Isn't it fabulous?! One of my students gave it to me!)
They couldn't wait to wear them to lunch to show off!
Good news...my class did very well on their math test!!!
What could've been bad news...two students scored a D. I couldn't have 19 students wear a medal and leave two out, so I had a private conversation with those two students. I told them their score.
Me: Did you try your VERY best?
Student: YES, Mrs. Miller, I did. I promise.
Me: Ok, then I think you should wear a medal too! As long as you tried your hardest! {Insert big smile from student!}
Sometimes we have to make exceptions. I do know those two tried their hardest, but they struggle in math, and really, a D is still great for all the concepts tested on that math test! I want my students to feel proud of all their accomplishments. I know these medals will motivate them for next test too!
 

If you don't want to purchase the plastic medals, you can make your own medals on cardstock and laminate them. Tie a decorative piece of ribbon on them and they'll be perfect!

You could use them for attendance, homework, cooperation, teacher helper, lots of possibilities!
Simple idea that can be used all year! :)

I hope you had a wonderful week! Please link up any lessons, ideas, tips, tricks, incentives, ANYTHING you do get your students motivated or excited!
Don't forget to grab my button and link back to this post!
Check out all the wonderful ideas from my friends who link up and don't forget to leave some love by commenting....we LOVE comments!
***Please include the topic in the link up with your blog name.

Late breaking news...my Fall Reading Graphic Organizers are finished! It includes 30 organizes and  can be used with any text! Check it out here! :)
 


 

 

 
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