Buy a pack of postcards at the beginning of the year and some postcard stamps. Write each student's address on one, add a stamp, and keep them in a handy spot near your desk. I like these Dr. Seuss ones:
When you see a student do something positive or think they could use a special pick-me-up, take 30 seconds to jot them a quite note. On your way out the door that night, drop them in the outgoing mailbox.
I always tried to do this for each student during the first half of the year. I wanted to use it as a way to build a relationship with each child so that the remainder of the year would be a smooth one.
Bonus: Parents love seeing teachers put extra effort and attention into their child. Having a positive note sent to their child will help to create a good parent-teacher relationship as well!
How do you create a positive relationship with your students?
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Can you share some of the positive notes you write. I often over think.
ReplyDeleteSure! Usually my notes started with: I'm SUPER glad you are in my class this year.
DeleteThen I tried to add one or two things that I appreciate about them:
- I noticed this week that you did {insert act of kindness} and it made me so proud. (I would often quickly jot down an act of kindness I saw on a post-it note and use that for a postcard later- this was helpful for my especially difficult students that didn’t always have a lot of positive attributes to write about... even our hard kids do kind things on occasion.)
- I am so proud of.... {how hard you work OR the positive attitude you always have OR the way you lift others up OR your creativity OR your drawing skills.}
- I’m glad you’re in our class because __________.
Then I ended with: “You are one special kid and I hope you have an AWESOME day!”
Some great qualities to highlight (even if you have a more difficult child):
- You are a THE kickball master at recess- we are lucky to have you on our team.
- You tell the best jokes and always make us laugh.
- I love how creative you are in art class.
- You are so good at drawing. I would love it if you would make me a picture sometime!
- You are a great dancer- you can really move!
- You are so smart at {this subject}... I bet you’d be a great helper for your neighbors who don’t understand it as much as you.
Hope this helps!