helping verbs

How To Praise Your Students

You do not always need to give away a treat. Learning verbal praise is not as easy as it sounds. Yet, the more you praise, the easier it gets to put this tactic into your teaching. A healthy dose of praise works wonders.

Disruptive classroom behaviors do not go away like magic. It takes both time and practice on the part of the teacher. Praise is very effective if it is used appropriately. Students will know if the praise is not sincere.

The following are some examples of verbal praise:

• Way to go!
• Keep it up!
• What good work!
• Top-notch!
• That's great!
• Right on!
• Great work!
• I am so proud of you.
• Wonderful!
• Fantastic!
• Super-Duper!
• You make me proud!
• How about that!
• Far out!
• Super work!
• Wow!

Read the following list to get an idea of things for which you can praise a student:

• taking turns   
• participating in a lesson
• listening well
• learning a new skill
• having all materials
• being on time for class
• helping a friend
• staying on task
• using good manners
• entering room quietly
• keeping busy when work is finished
• returning materials
• asking questions when things are not understood

Noise Level Thermometer

Make a large thermometer to control the noise level in your room. Mark it with the same temperature marks as those on a real thermometer. Use a red ribbon for the mercury. Begin each day with the room thermometer set on zero. When the noise rises, raise the temperature. The consequence of having to raise the temperature needs to be established and agreed upon by the class. Make it a cooperative learning experience.

Word Collection Jars

for class organization