December 20, 2001
Make Teaching/Learning More Fun
At least make it enjoyable
most of the time!
A sports coach watches an athlete’s performance and offers approval and suggestions that are designed to improve athletic skills. A teacher demonstrates and/or explains how to learn something new and supports student efforts to understand. New learning will often blossom by applying coaching as well as teaching techniques. Teachers should make use of positive re-enforcement and positive comments when working with young people. Here are some praise phrases to consider using as verbal and written communiqué to encourage students:
Dynamite work!
Fantastic!
Fine effort!
Good thinking!
Good work.
Now you have it!
Super!
Thank you!
That's awesome.
That's right.
That's the way to do it.
This is really great.
This made my day.
Too easy for you?
Tremendous!
Wonderful!
WOW!
You are very good at this.
You make it look easy.
You make teaching fun!
You mastered this quickly!
You're doing better.
You're learning quickly.
You've mastered this.
A FEW CAUTIONS AS YOU "HAND OUT PRAISE"
· Praise genuine accomplishments -- Students are quick to recognize phony praise they don't really deserve or praise that is for an "un-praiseworthy accomplishment".
· Pick the "right time to praise". Give encouragement if the assignment is especially challenging.
SHOW
YOUR HUMAN SIDE TO YOUR STUDENTS
Talk with your students. Find out what they like to do when not at school. Tell them about your weekend and ask them about theirs. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS make it a point to personally greet students as they enter your room as often as you can. Give them a cheery send off as they leave.
When appropriate, offer academic choices to
master objectives.
Examples:
Objective: Learn the multiplication and division
facts within 3 weeks.
Choices
record and review the facts
make flash cards and drill with others
learn through a computer game
do specific pages in the text book
devise worksheets to learn the facts
make up "raps" or sayings to learn the facts
draw pictures to learn the facts
Objective: Learn the proper format for a friendly
letter and the names of the parts
Choices
draw boxes on plain paper to show the parts (label)
devise a "test" to show the parts of a letter
write a letter to _____________ using the proper form
Objective: Learn this the spelling words for this
week
Choices
draw pictures to depict word meanings
make "word searches"
use the sandpaper technique
type words on a word processor or AlphaSmart
make an audio tape to review spelling words
sort words by phonetic elements or syllables
Source:
Algozzine, Bob (1993). 50 Simple Ways To Make Teaching More Fun. Intervention in School and Clinic, 29(2), 120-121.
IT'S YOUR CHOICE
LIFE IS SHORT -- HAVE FUN WHILE YOU'RE TEACHING!
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
THE FREE SPELLING AIDE IS POSTED AT
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ADDchoices/files/Freespbk.doc
GET YOURSELF A COPY
DISCLAIMER
This information is for educational purposes only. Much of the information is from classes and workshops I've taken during my 26+ years of working with ADD & ADHD students – sprinkled with my own comments, thoughts and insights.
Some information has been acquired from the INTERNET. Be aware that not all information on the WWW is accurate. Use your own judgment.
This information is not intended to replace information from your doctor, therapist, lawyer, psychologist, nutritionist or psychiatrist. Consult your child's (or your own) doctor for additional input.
Editor: BJ Madewell
Wichita, KS area
316-733-9532
FAX not available
Email ADDchoices@aol.com or ADDchoices@yahoo.com
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BJ Madewell
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