In my role as a math interventionist (although looking back I did it as a homeroom teacher, but I don't think as intentionally as I do it now), I have found that many of my students can do the math, they just don't believe they can. As educators, we wear so many hats and one of them is helping students see their potential. I now ask students when they answer a question for me: "Are you asking me or are you telling me?" This questions prompts students to be more convicted in their answer to me. Or if they aren't sure about their answer, it prompts them to go back and recheck it. I have the conversation with students that if they aren't sure of their answer then they need to take a second look at it. They should always answer confidently if they did the work. If it's wrong, we will figure out what happened. It has been so rewarding to hear teachers say that their students are more confident in their answers when sharing in class.

How do you promote student leadership in your classroom? One way that I promote leadership with the students is by giving a list of Leadership Axioms. During the first days of school while review policies and procedures, the axioms are introduced. We use these to help us become a better leader.

One of the things that do to help keep a positive mindset in the class is telling the students that Monday is actually the best day of the week. It is the day we get to start off fresh and work on fixing all the mistakes we made the previous week. Most of the time, helping students see the school day in a different light helps their success. What are ways you help students with positive thinking?

During state testing there is not much I can do to help the students. So, I give them each an elephant figurine. Since elephants are my favorite animal, I tell them that they are part of the “herd”. I use this to help relieve stress that the students might have with test anxiety.

Something that I’ve found with some of my students throughout the years is that they don’t know how to regulate their emotions. Instead of yelling at them, I prefer a conversation about what happened but only after I give them some time to cool down. I love this suggestion though because I think it’s the perfect conversation starter. What other ideas have you used with students?

What is tough for kids about being social?