For the first few
months of school, I had a stack of readily copied behavior forms when students
acted out in school. I really only used them during exteme problem behaviors
like when a student would physically or verbally hurt another student. I used
them for documentation, accountability, and to alert parents of a concern. They
are useful and I definitely need them, but I was forgetting one very important
tip I received at the beginning of the year. Don’t forget to send the positive
things home too! With that in mind, I made these simple “happy notes.”
On the first day I
used them, I gave them to a student of mine who may not get the most positive
comments most of the time. He was so excited to get his happy note that he
propped it up on the corner of his desk so he could see it all day. All it said
on it was, “You’re doing such a great job!”
When he came in to
school the next day, I asked him if he showed it to his mom. He smiled and
said, “Yessss.” I asked him what she said about it and he shyly said, “I don’t
remember” and scurried off to his seat. I continue what I’m doing and about a
minute later, he came running over and said that she gave him a big hug and
said, “That’s my boy!” Happy tears!! I wish I did this sooner.
I just copied them
onto yellow paper and keep them in my desk like this.
Every now and then, I
write one out and privately give it to a student at my desk. I make a valient
effort to not make it a competitive thing or use it as an incentive. It’s not a
prize that students get. It’s just…a happy note! :)
Click on the link below the picture to get your FREEBIE! I hope it helps increase your positive communication with students and their families.
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