Name me old school, however I nonetheless ship thank-you notes—actual, handwritten notes through snail mail. I do know I’m not alone in feeling like the handwritten letter is a misplaced artwork. There’s one thing particular about figuring out that somebody took the time to place pen to paper for you. And I feel it’s additional particular when that individual is your instructor coming by way of with the kudos. As a instructor, you may actually knock it out of the park by sending that optimistic be aware residence so a scholar’s household can learn it. As a result of if there’s one factor higher than listening to you’re superior, it’s listening to it in entrance of individuals you care about.
How do I make this work in my classroom with out making extra work for myself?
You don’t need to hand-stamp or Cricut your individual playing cards (though, if that’s you, that’s superior!). Texas instructor Elizabeth Ingram of @lonestarclassroom retains a stack of fast suggestions notes available so she will be able to jot them on the go. I like this low-prep possibility! You’ll be able to seize Elizabeth’s template right here after which simply print and replica on bright-colored paper.
Picture supply: @lonestarteacher
How do I choose which scholar to acknowledge?
You’ll be able to choose anybody and anyfactor to acknowledge, however be sure to unfold the love! I all the time like to begin with college students who don’t sometimes get acknowledged as a result of it exhibits that you simply care and that you simply discover them proper from the get-go. It additionally builds goodwill with households, so if and while you do need to contact them with an issue, you have already got some foundational belief in place.
What do I write?
It doesn’t need to be greater than a sentence or two, however I feel it’s finest to be as particular as potential in your suggestions. So much less “You’re such a terrific child!” and extra “I see the way you all the time invite others to affix your sport at recess” or “I’ve seen how exhausting you’ve been working to enhance your studying fluency.” I additionally like to make use of development mindset language that focuses extra on effort than capability.
What else do I must know?
This small act has the potential to be transformational. I’ve former college students who are actually adults who nonetheless have notes I wrote them. Elizabeth shared, “This specific be aware made somebody so proud that they taped it to their take-home folder and saved it there for the remainder of the yr. Don’t ever underestimate the ability that our instructor phrases have.”
For extra classroom concepts like this, subscribe to our newsletters!
