Reinforcement+and+Recognition



Reinforcing Effort and Providing Recognition A goal of teaching is to help students to develope self-confidence, self-esteem, and to believe in themselves. Teachers need to instill good attitutes for learning in their students. As this has significant effect on their success or failure in school. Rescearch has shown the evidence between effort and believing one can succeed so the student will make it happen. Not all students realize how important it is to believe in effort. If a student is surrounded amongst challenges they can develope an attitude of, what is the use I'm going to fail anyway,. They see the odds as stacked against them from the beginning. Students need to see the connection between effort, attitude, and achievement by keeping track of their effort and seeing how it relates to their achievement. Students can learn to change their befiefs to emphasie effort and achievement.

Key Research Findings



Research on student achievement show that the relationship between an increase in effort and increase in success is connected to students' beliefs and attitudes. Teachers who provide postitive recgnition by using rewards for accomplishment can improve students belief in themselves. According to Gabriel “Venom” Wilson, in this article (Wilson, n.d.) in his article; http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/rewards.pdf, he defined motivation as the intensity and direction of effort. Teachers need to know what type of reward system to use. Should it be tangible or abstract or a combination? Abstract, I believe through experience, to be the best. Rewards i.e. praise, stickers, certificates, and grades work well. Students who are recognized for their efforts easily make the connection between effort and outcome. Tracking effort reinforces visual and tactile learning. A chart can help the student define effort and achievement and increase motivation. Which in return can help the student become successful. The real goal of effort should be made very clear the students. It does not mean that if you try harder you will get more awards, it means the harder you try the more successful you will be.



In the Classroom  Bingo is a wonderful teaching tool to have at your fingertips no matter what you are teaching. You can even make it up as you go along! The basic premise of Bingo is simple: players start with a grid filled with answers and they cover up spaces as the corresponding item is called from the Bingo "caller." Winners make a complete line going vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Please click on link to learn more about Bingo strategies: []

Making awards for kids is an awesome way to show recognition for their efforts. There are many websites to choose from to customize the award. Younger students an well as older students like this type of recognation. One website to visit on making and customizing awardds is:KidBibs Awards. (n.d.). //KidBibs: We bring kids and books together!//. Retrieved April 4, 2012, from []

Kids as Authors is designed for grades K-8. The is an opportunity for students to become published. This is an excellent website to get students interested in reading an writting. It challenges their minds implementating thinking strategies. They will need to be asking questions like who, what, where, when, and why, encouraging the student to use their reading, writting, and artistic skills. Please visit this web site to learn more:Scholastic Book Fairs - Kids Are Authors - About the Contest. (n.d.). //Scholastic | Children's Books and Book Club | Scholastic.com//. Retrieved April 4, 2012, from []

Teachers Who Make a Difference: []

Return to Home Page home