One Sticky Situation

As told in one of the blog responses, my first year began with being escorted to a classroom of students that did not get along with the first teacher. I knew I was either going to sink or swim. After introducing myself and breaking the ice, I really began to focus on mathematical content in the classroom. As soon as I began teaching, I observed their attention would go out the window. Trying to determine what to do, I first realized motivation was key. The majority of the students were already failing the school year and it was only October. Their attitudes were set in stone. Students believed why try in a failing situation. This is when I felt I was in a sticky situation. As I was grading a couple of assignments at my now wife’s duplex, she decided to put some stickers on their papers for doing well. The next day, I passed them out and by surprise the students with stickers were smiling and excited about starting the new lesson. What I learned was the negatives had been the focus rather than the positives and for some students it was their first recognition of being successful that year. In the ARCS model it looks at confidence and that is one of the aspects I focused on with motivating students. I designed what I call “stickers for success.” In a six-week period of time, I give out stickers for grades that range from 85-100. Each sticker is placed on the sheet and students fill out the assignment name, grade, and date received. Then they take them home and have them signed for extra credit. I wanted to devise a plan that encouraged the positive learning experiences and would be recognized by the parent. For some students this was the only recognition for positive learning experiences because they might would accomplish a good grade in math but not be as successful in another class, which would hinder them in making honor roll. After the first trial of “stickers for success,” I continued this method for motivation. While this plan encouraged my students during my first year, I realized that each class would be different for motivational methods. In my fourth year of teaching, it still amazes me how many students get excited over stickers. If you are in a sticky situation try it out you may reach more students than imagined. One thing to keep in mind, not every student will respond to “stickers for success,” so it may take incorporating other motivational methods.