I’m confused. How can I incorporate DWS into “Fun Friday?”
QUESTION: I’m going to start using DWS in my classroom this coming year. My grade level uses Fun Friday/Study Hall. I’m confused on how I can incorporate DWS into Fun Friday. Am I just overthinking this issue? RESPONSE: I have no personal experience with Fun Friday/Study Halls but I gather it’s a reward for those [...]
Isn’t an adult paycheck the same thing as a reward?
QUESTION: What is a good response to people who argue that extrinsic rewards are okay for students because they’re just the same as an adult getting a paycheck at the end of the week? When people say this, I cringe. I know it’s not the same, but I don’t know how to argue the point [...]
10-15 students are arriving late – every day!
QUESTION: I am currently in a situation where I am the permanent teacher, taking the place of another teacher. I have been in this position for about 3 weeks now, and I have noticed that many students arrive late every day. Not just one or two but 10-15 students are arriving late to my class! [...]
Intermediate/High School – Goal Setting and “The Last Lecture”
Last week I spent an evening with Teresa, an old friend of mine who just happens to be a fabulous grade six teacher at a nearby school. As it always does, our talk eventually turned to two of our favorite subjects––teaching and whatever good books we’ve read lately! One thing I always admire about this [...]
Praising is second nature to me!
QUESTION: Today was my first time using DWS in the classroom. I found it extremely difficult to break the habit of praising kids! I want to encourage rather than praise, but it just seems that praising is second nature to me. RESPONSE: When first trying DWS in the classroom there’s much to think about––so don’t [...]
Without rewards, how can I encourage neat work habits?
QUESTION: I don’t want to use stickers to motivate my primary students to print more neatly. Any suggestions to encourage them to take more care with their school work? RESPONSE: Here are some things that my teaching partner and I do in order to help build neat work habits over time: 1. We talk a [...]
Is a “Well done!” sticker an “acknowledgment” or a “reward?”
QUESTION: I’ve been really working with my students to take pride in their work and do do their best at things. Many are really messy and sloppy and I know they can do better. Would putting a sticker or stamp that says “Well done,” “Neat work” or “Your best work!” be an acknowledgment as opposed [...]
Some “evidence” that DWS really gets kids thinking!
This week I had a neat experience while teaching a grade 7 student at my newest job at the middle school. I just thought I’d share. For those who don’t know me, I have three teaching positions, all of which are shared with the same partner. Darlene and I share a grade 1 classroom, each [...]
Using DWS to deal with younger siblings visiting in the classroom
Throughout this summer, I’ve been emailing back and forth with one teacher in my province who wants to learn how the reading program my partner and I have developed, works in our grade one classroom. She is also quite interested in a program our K-6 school has instituted called “The Whole School Read,” in which [...]
How can I motivate my students to take care in their schoolwork?
QUESTION: I am a high school Social Studies teacher. As a teacher of a content area, I don’t penalize my students for spelling errors on their assignments as an English teacher would, but at the same time, I don’t want to give them the impression that spelling isn’t important. I’m not having much success. Once [...]
