Friday, August 12, 2011

Making Students Feel Special

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Super-Star-Student-of-the-Week-2155336Lindsey, of The Teacher Wife fame, posted a great question on her blog yesterday. She asked, "How do you make your students feel special?" Since she is looping with her students to second grade, she needs some new ideas. So, scroll down to see how I celebrate my students. You can even download my materials. Then, head on over to Lindsey's blog to read more and even share your own ideas!
To celebrate my students, I have a Super Star Student of the week. A new student is chosen each Monday. When students walk into the classroom each Monday, they excitedly look to see who's been chosen. On their desk, they find a star cutout, a letter to their parents, and their Super Star questionnaire. It's so cute when they realize who was chosen and they congratulate that student, saying, "I knew it was going to be you! You are always so good." 

Parents send in 5-8 pictures of their child to post in the classroom. I have a picture board with elastic criss-crosses to hold the photos without stapling, taping, etc. I also put a title above my picture board, using my favorite angled letter tiles {of course}! Students love this display, especially when there are baby pictures. The Super Star can also choose to be line leader, sit at the teacher's desk, pick where they sit, or lead calendar for the week.

On Friday, we gather in a circle so the Super Star can show their pictures, share their Super Star questionnaire, and read their favorite story to the class. Afterwards, everyone goes back to their seat and writes to the Super Star. They describe the student, write nice thoughts about them, and then illustrate. The Super Star writes to the teacher. I compile all of the students' writing and place the Super Star questionnaire on the top. Next, I fold an 18x24 piece of construction paper in half to make a Super Star book. On the top of the book, there is a super star cutout, along with the student's name and date. That Friday, the Super Star gets to take home their own personal class book.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Super-Star-Student-of-the-Week-2155336
Click on the picture
to check out my materials.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Super-Star-Student-of-the-Week-2155336

10 comments:

Lindsey (The Teacher Wife) said...

Alicia! This is wonderful and thank you for posting it! I am actually going to use this idea in my classroom! :) My kiddos will LOVE! Thanks again!

Anonymous said...

Wow. I think I could easily us this in my fourth grade writing class. Thanks for the great idea.

Enjoy Teaching English said...

This is exactly what I'm planning to try this year!Every year I change the behavior procedure to keep the fun!Will share with my materials once they're ready!
It would be great also to see some photos of the classroom!

Thank you,

Lusine

Alicia Lochridge said...

@ Lusine: I will definitely work on posting classroom photos once I return to work. Expect them late August / early September. Thanks for your support.

Alicia

Angie Brown said...

I just posted about my classroom VIP procedures check it out on our blog. I am doing a Beach theme this year so I named it Surfer of the Week. Hope you enjoy! I love your blog by the way.

http://teaminguptoteach.blogspot.com/2011/08/vip-student.html

Cindy
Teaming Up To Teach

Mrs. Patton said...

Thank you so much for sharing!

*FARMERS* said...

I do something really similar to this in my classroom. One thing that I tried last year (and really liked :) was to invite the parents to come & read the student's favorite book to the class. It was great PR with the parents & the students LOVED having their family come to school. I had a Grandma that even acted out the story for the class...so fun! :)

Denise said...

I am a big believer in positive recognition and I wanted to share with you some information about BRAG TAGS (plastic laminated award "Dog-Tags"). I have been involved in the printing industry for many years, and have been able to use my contacts and save my daughters’ school a significant amount of money on their laminated tag costs. With school budgets being so tight, I wanted to offer other schools the opportunity to take advantage of the savings as well. The costs are over 50% off any other companies making them now! The designs are so fun and you can even personalize or customize make any tag. Contact me for more info and special discount info.

Denise
boostpromos@gmail.com

Michelle S said...

I love that you don't tell them until Monday and put the materials on their desk...I always send something home with them the Thursday/Friday before it's their week...but I think I might switch it (maybe next school year) to this way! Sounds like fun!

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