Grades or Competence?
As spoken about in the last post, there's a big difference between telling kids they worked hard than to just tell them they're smart. When you congratulate a kid on a grade, or you give them a trophy, and then just walk away without talking about it, you leave the kid to just assume they're smart. And so, when that good grade or award is denied them, they figure they must not be smart anymore and give up in despair.
Instead of just saying, "Great job on that A" ask the kid, "I saw you got an A. What you learn in school today?" Keep the kids learning. Don't let them think that just because grades are in that it's over and they don't need to worry anymore.
The same goes for if the DON'T get a good grade. Say things like "Hey, I saw you got a D. What do you think we oughta do to fix that? Do you want help from me for anything?"
Just like in the last post, we have to teach our kids that work is better than smarts. Arbitrary grades and concrete reward can often muddle that picture. We have to leave that message clear if we want our kids to succeed.
Clear concise messages are key! It is best to relate in back to a specific skill or learning standard too. Good knowledge to remember. What about in sports? Should all kids get a participation award or trophy? What does that say to a child?
ReplyDeleteSports are different.
ReplyDeleteIn sports, you're given an award AS A TEAM. You're not singling any one person out, but rather, you're doing the opposite. You're involving them in a GROUP effort.
Their learning how to help others succeed WITH them, which is what we should be doing as teachers anyway!
Sports are different.
ReplyDeleteIn sports, you're given an award AS A TEAM. You're not singling any one person out, but rather, you're doing the opposite. You're involving them in a GROUP effort.
Their learning how to help others succeed WITH them, which is what we should be doing as teachers anyway!