SUBSCRIBE | SUBMIT
December 2008
Vol 5 No 12
BACK ISSUES

Current Issue » Cover Page Cover Story Harry & Rosemary Wong Columns Articles Features
Back Issues
Teachers.Net Gazette Vol.5 No.12 December 2008

Cover Story by Bill Page
At-Risk Students: A Point of Viewing

“At-Risk Students: Children who are expected to fail because teachers cannot motivate, control, teach, or interest them using traditional methods and prescribed curriculum.” ~ At-Risk Students: Understanding Their Defensive Ploys


Harry & Rosemary Wong: Effective Teaching
The Sounds of Students
Learning and Performing

Columns
»Teacher's Inquiry ProcessHal Portner
»December Survival GuideSue Gruber
»Words Can InspireLeah Davies
»Windy City Top TenTodd R. Nelson
»Tapping Into Internal MotivationMarvin Marshall
»The Busy Educator's Monthly FiveMarjan Glavac
»Dear Barbara - Advice for SubsBarbara Pressman
»The 2 W’s and a H: Finding the Main Idea in Students’ Behavior Kioni Carter

Articles
»A World of ZippersTim Newlin
»Recipes - Cinnamon Applesauce Dough Ornaments, Gingerbread Playdough, Gingerbread, Rudolph Sandwiches
»The End of the D and F Grade: Welcome to Lake WobegonAlan Haskvitz
»December 2008 Writing PromptsJames Wayne
»Education Accountability Version 2.0: A Letter to the Next PresidentTony Wagner
»Sometimes It’s Easier to Just Suck It UpMrs. Mimi
»Using Photographs To Inspire Writing IIHank Kellner
»Parents and FailureBruce J. Gevirtzman

Features
»Apple Seeds: Inspiring QuotesBarb Stutesman
»Today Is... Daily CommemorationRon Victoria
»The Lighter Side of Teaching
»This is why we do it…
»The Kelly Bear C.A.R.E.S. Program
»Printable Worksheets & Teaching Aids
»The Economy Is Not A Morality Play
»School Photographs for December 2008
»Lessons, Resources and Theme Activities: December 2008
»Video Bytes: The Benefits of Student Blogging; Unbelievable Water Fountain; George Washington Inauguration; Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke; Flight Physics; & Claymation Surrealism a la Magritte!
»Live on Teachers.Net: December 2008
»Newsdesk: Events & Opportunities for Teachers


Advertisement

The Teachers.Net Gazette is a collaborative project
published by the Teachers.Net community
Editor in Chief: Kathleen Alape Carpenter
Layout Editor: Mary Miehl


Cover Story by Bill Page

Effective Teaching by Harry & Rosemary Wong

Contributors this month: Sue Gruber, Kioni Carter, Marvin Marshall, , Marjan Glavac, Todd R. Nelson, Hal Portner, Leah Davies, Barbara Pressman, Tim Newlin, Bill Page, James Wayne, Hank Kellner, Magoo, Bruce J. Gevirtzman, Barb Stutesman, Ron Victoria, Tony Wagner, Alan Haskvitz,Mrs. Mimi, and YENDOR.

Submissions: click for Submission Guidelines

Advertising: contact Bob Reap


Subscribe for free home delivery


Leah Davies
Archive | Biography | Resources | Discussion

Words Can Inspire

Words can either encourage or demean. Here's how teachers can use words to paint successful pictures that stimulate children's optimism about their future, encouraging positive behaviors.
by Leah Davies, M.Ed.
www.kellybear.com
Regular contributor to the Gazette
December 1, 2008

Most educators can recall a teacher's comment that either encouraged or discouraged them. Positive messages foster a child's growth and are constructive, while negative messages can defeat and discourage a child. Our words can have a profound effect upon a child's attitude and behavior. A comment like, "You better do well on this test," can threaten a child's confidence. In contrast, by saying, "This is an important test, but I know each of you will do your best," can inspire children to try harder. Here are some examples of teacher comments made to children that illustrate how the right (or wrong) words can discourage or encourage:

A discouraging comment such as...
"You are slow like your brothers. You may never learn to read."
...would lead the child to internalize the message and quit trying.

An encouraging comment such as...
"You do well in math and I believe you will become a good reader. I will help you learn to read!"
...would make the child think that if his teacher believes that he can learn to read, maybe he really can! The student will feel proud of his math ability and be ready to try to improve his reading.

A discouraging comment such as...
"You are always in trouble. You are just one of those children who cannot get along with others."
...would lead a child to believe that she is a hopeless troublemaker who will never have friends.

An encouraging comment such as...
"You are a talented artist. Getting along with others is something that can be improved upon. I know you will be able to learn how to share and take turns."
...would inspire a child to try to live up to her teacher's expectation of her being able to behave appropriately.

Teacher comments can have a significant impact on a child's self-esteem. Many students come to school sad and discouraged as a result of poverty, abuse or other problems. Children desperately need someone to believe in their worth and encourage them to try harder to do their best!

Jerry Moe, a renowned national speaker and prevention specialist for children at the Betty Ford Center, shared his childhood at a recent conference. His parents were alcoholics who were unavailable to help him grow and develop into a self-confident child. As an adolescent, he exhibited delinquent behaviors. One day a substitute teacher called him aside and said, "You are too good to get in trouble. I see a lovable child underneath your tough exterior. You are a valuable human being. I know you can make a contribution to this world." Mr. Moe reported that those few words turned his life around and he began to believe that he could develop into a worthwhile person.

Students with a low sense of worth dwell on their weaknesses. Teachers who search for and discover each child's strengths can contribute greatly to a child's revised self-concept. When a teacher mentions a child's strengths, he or she will most likely begin to believe he has abilities.

For example a teacher might say:

  • "I see you can run very fast. You may want to be on the track team someday."
  • "I have been thinking about your project idea, and I have decided to use it!"
  • "What a creative story! I am going to hang your paper on the bulletin board."
  • "What bright colors you used in your picture. Maybe you will become an artist!"

Words that paint successful pictures for children stimulate optimism about their future and thus encourage positive behaviors. If you want to inspire your students, stop and think before saying something defeating and then express the idea in a constructive, encouraging way.

Used by permission of the author, Leah Davies, and selected from the Kelly Bear website [www.kellybear.com]. 12/02



» More Gazette articles...




About Leah Davies...

Leah Davies received her Master's Degree from the Department of Counseling and Counseling Psychology, Auburn University. She has been dedicated to the well-being of children for 44 years as a certified teacher, counselor, prevention specialist, parent, and grandparent. Her professional experience includes teaching, counseling, consulting, instructing at Auburn University, and directing educational and prevention services at a mental health agency.

Besides the Kelly Bear materials, Leah has written articles that have appeared in The American School Counseling Association Counselor, The School Counselor, Elementary School Guidance and Counseling Journal, Early Childhood News, and National Head Start Association Journal. She has presented workshops at the following national professional meetings: American School Counselor Association; Association for Childhood Education International; National Association for the Education of Young Children; National Child Care Association; National Head Start Association; National School-Age Child Care Alliance Conference.

kellybear.com
Dedicated to Helping Children Thrive


Leah Davies Columns on Teachers.Net...
Related Resources & Discussions on Teachers.Net...

#