Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1175948
Get excited about little changes In the strength-based world it is said that little changes can ripple into big solutions. • Send postcards to a kid's family when she has accomplished something noteworthy. • Post positive work on walls. • If a student does a little better with his behavior, focus on that. "Hey, this was the best class you've had all week. I'm proud of you, man! [Slap him five.] And I'm curious, why did you do better? I'm thinking that you're now realizing that acting more mature and going with the flow is going to open more doors for you? Is that it?" We call this ver- bal intervention amplifying change using speculation. Greet kids warmly every day! Use memorable greetings with your kids. • "How ya doing?" • "I'm living the dream!" "All the better for seeing you!" "Happy as a hippo!" "Fantastic!" "Unbelievable!" • Add touch — fist bumps, slap fives, etc. Make sure your most chal- lenging students experience multiple successes every day Success in one area almost always generalizes to other aspects of a stu- dent's day. • Get dice! Break the kids into groups of two to four and have them take turns rolling two dice. The winning team is the one that can roll the most consecutive rolls without getting doubles. It's what we call a universal opportu- nity for success. • Play cards and other games with at-risk kids. Lose on purpose, but be a good actor. • Have your more challenging kids volunteer somewhere. • Modify academics or activities so kids have better opportunities for success. Actively talk to kids about their futures Use positive predicting (e.g., "How are we going to celebrate your best week in school? Who should I call when ?"). When you talk about the future in positive terms, you make any desired outcome more possi- ble. And when it's more possible, it becomes more probable. • Have your kids create business cards for their future professions. Post them all on a wall under the sign: Future Leaders of America (or your state). • Download college diplomas. Place kids' names and pictures on them and hang them on walls under the sign: College-Bound Kids! Use consequences instead of punishment Consequences are related to the behavior in question. • The most important thing an adult should think about before setting a limit is the sanctity of the relationship. Behavior comes and goes. Positive rela- tionships are what drive kids to success. Punishment or badly delivered limit-setting hurts relationship formation. Post inspirational slogans on walls • The harder I try, the higher I fly. Be the eagle! • What's a mistake? An opportunity to take! • If it's stinkin', change the thinkin'! • If it is to be, it's up to me! • I'm smart, it's in my heart. Believ- ing in myself is where I start. • Back on track, Jack! "It starts with the inspirational attitude that says: 'I believe in you. I am excited to be working with you. And I just know you will be successful with me and forever. Let's go!'" 40 cta.org Teaching & Learning