Positive Comments-Can you give THREE-FIVE minutes a week?

Start the year off on a positive note! Let's make a commitment together to make a positive impact on our class!

Positively Positive!!!

 Make a commitment to make ONE positive phone call, text, or note a week. ONE? That's so doable. As a matter of fact, once you start making these phone calls and hearing their responses, you might get CRAZY and make a few calls! :) First of all, think of how you'll feel making this call-there's NO parent that will be upset or argue about hearing something wonderful about their child! (This is your opportunity to win over any difficult parents). You will build rapport with the parents, your students will want to work even harder, and your heart will be filled from noticing the good in every student.

 

It can be something big or small, something extra the student did during the day, something another student pointed out to you, etc.:

• participated more
• took on a leadership role
• was a peacemaker
• used good manners
• stayed focused
• helped you or a classmate
• cleaned up without being asked
• showed initiative
• shared materials
• completed homework
• finished a book

This is not a phone call to make any suggestions of improvement or negative comments after your positive comment. Even if the parent asks a question that could lead to negative talk, you need to change the subject or end the conversation on the positive note you started on. You can make that phone call another time, this time is for positivity ONLY.

Have your notes ready to keep it brief and to the point-stay focused on why you made this contact. I created this student log to keep us on track. List all your students, then fill in the reason for making the positive phone call, and date you made the call. This list will also help you make sure everyone gets a phone call or note at some time.

 

I'm not saying go "in order", or that one student may not have three positive forms of communication before one of your more challenging students gets one. We don't want it to be "staged", we want it to be genuine, but we want all students to receive or feel this positive praise, so we don't want to leave anyone out!

Share their strengths and what they add to your classroom.

What will sadden you is when you make the phone call to the parent who says, "No one has every called to tell me something good about my child." These are the kids who need these calls the MOST!

Imagine what this phone call would do for a parent! You recognized the great in their son or daughter! They know about that greatness, but someone else recognized it, which makes it even more special!

I know how many hours we work already, but I also know that a phone call can take three minutes. ALL OF US can give three-five minutes! Imagine if every teacher allocated 15 minutes a week (one a day) to calling parents with good news, the impact could be tremendous! I know our teacher to do lists are long and positive comments may not be at the top, but just try it! I promise it will have such great effects on your classroom! Try calling a few students' parents and see what happens. The ripple effects for the student, parents, and you will be transformational.

Make sure you thank the parent for their support and encouragement for their child to continue this great behavior!

I'm including a calendar to ensure commitment on your part. I feel like if I put something in writing, I'm more likely to complete it. (Tell me I'm not alone!)

 

 

Do you know how proud or excited you'll feel after you look at your list of positives in a couple of months? It's a win-win!

I've also made some cute notecards, just in case phone calls are not possible some weeks. Print on bright paper and you will brighten your student's day!

 



Let’s be positive together!

Let's make an agreement/contract! You know how we are, if we put it in writing, we are more likely to do it! So, if you will be a "Positive Pusher", write I  WILL in the comments with your email (if you're not a blogger) and I'll send you the forms! Together we are better!

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!

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