As teachers, we commonly group students so they can practice and refine interpersonal skills. There are so many creative ways to groups students. I have done it all- numbers, pictures, letters, grouped kids based on color of socks, birthday months, etc! However, I never grouped students by positive adjectives until I was placed in a group during my Breathe 4 Change program based on positive adjectives. Just the simple word associated with my group made such a difference in how I felt, so naturally I wanted to use this approach in my classroom.
I found these rustic wood round slices at Hobby Lobby and I thought the students would like just the act of holding these. Kids like holding and touching different textures, and receiving something different is always appealing. So, I used these wood slices to write positive adjectives. I passed them out randomly to the students, and then had them form groups based on the same words. So all the amazing kids sat together, all the rad kids formed a group, all the kind students created a group, and so on (you get the picture).
Just switching the language alone made such a huge deal!!! My students really enjoyed being placed in groups based on positive adjectives. Of course, we had fun with it since I do teach middle school. I would say things like, "Who is awesome? All my awesome students are over in this group. If you are awesome, you belong here! If you are not awesome you are not here." Kids would laugh and tease. LOL
The reason I really enjoyed grouping students this way is because let's face it, many students don't receive positive affirmations by their parents. Sometimes students just need to hear these words directed at them. There are so many expectations and tasks placed on them at this age that sometimes students just struggle to keep up and they often feel inadequate. So, it is very important to speak life into them! Helping them find that confidence through a simple change in our language is easy through something like grouping.
However, I do not believe positive affirmations are enough by itself. Check back for my next blog on the intentions and actions behind positive affirmations. For now though, just know that by being mindful and purposeful in everything we do as teachers, every little counts. Our students are watching us and learning through our actions and words.
I found these rustic wood round slices at Hobby Lobby and I thought the students would like just the act of holding these. Kids like holding and touching different textures, and receiving something different is always appealing. So, I used these wood slices to write positive adjectives. I passed them out randomly to the students, and then had them form groups based on the same words. So all the amazing kids sat together, all the rad kids formed a group, all the kind students created a group, and so on (you get the picture).
Just switching the language alone made such a huge deal!!! My students really enjoyed being placed in groups based on positive adjectives. Of course, we had fun with it since I do teach middle school. I would say things like, "Who is awesome? All my awesome students are over in this group. If you are awesome, you belong here! If you are not awesome you are not here." Kids would laugh and tease. LOL
The reason I really enjoyed grouping students this way is because let's face it, many students don't receive positive affirmations by their parents. Sometimes students just need to hear these words directed at them. There are so many expectations and tasks placed on them at this age that sometimes students just struggle to keep up and they often feel inadequate. So, it is very important to speak life into them! Helping them find that confidence through a simple change in our language is easy through something like grouping.
However, I do not believe positive affirmations are enough by itself. Check back for my next blog on the intentions and actions behind positive affirmations. For now though, just know that by being mindful and purposeful in everything we do as teachers, every little counts. Our students are watching us and learning through our actions and words.