First things first: congratulations to Amanda Cheverie, randomly chosen as the winner of last week’s giveaway! Amanda, you’ve won an INCLUSION ROCKS mug and a free copy of the book Modifying Schoolwork. We’ll be in touch for your address so we can get your prizes in the mail for you.
Thanks to everyone who entered last week. If you didn’t win, don’t worry–it’s already time for Giveaway #2! This week’s winner will also get two great prizes, just in time for the start of the new school year.
Prize #1:
This roomy I LOVE INCLUSION tote bag is the perfect way to show your commitment to helping all kids reach their full potential.
Prize #2:
You’ll get your own copy of Unstuck & On Target!, an awesome how-to manual on helping students with autism spectrum disorders develop executive function skills–namely, cognitive flexibility and setting and working toward goals. (It’s also great for use with any learner who struggles with these critical academic skills.)
You’ll get ready-to-use, activity-based lessons that promote cognitive flexibility in everyday situations, from compromising with peers to setting goals to distinguishing “big deals” from “little deals.”
How do you enter the giveaway? First, check out this quote from Unstuck & On Target:
To enter for your chance to win, all you have to do is give a short answer to this question:
What’s one way you give the learners in your life positive reinforcement? Do you use small material rewards and incentives? Verbal encouragement and support? Something else?
Scroll down to the comments section below and tell us one of your favorite positive reinforcement strategies (just a quick line or sentence is fine!), and you’re automatically entered to win the tote bag and the book. We’ll announce the winner on the blog next Thursday, when the third giveaway goes live. (There are two more giveaways after this one–tune in for the next two Thursdays to enter them.)
Good luck, and happy commenting!
P.S. Want to stock up on inclusion-themed swag now? Stop by the Inclusion Lab Cafepress store to pick up the perfect back-to-school gifts for the teachers in your life. Totes, mugs, magnets, and more!
We give positive reinforcement by providing kids with the opportunity to take pictures of their work on the iPad and send it to parents using Freshgrade. Student choice motivates them to share their best learning.
What a great idea, Tiffany! Love it. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Relationship building is key. I motivate them by being interested in their lives–what their interests are, what makes them tick, how their day was. Great things happen when they know they have a champion.
I will also randomly give them Pride tickets which are part of the school wide incentive program. I try to catch them in the little moments as well as the big.
Great point, Cassie, about the critical importance of relationship-building with your students. Thanks for commenting and entering the giveaway!
I think this can be a pretty loaded question – and in my opinion definitely depends on the learners themselves. Some may respond to material rewards, some may respond to incentives (group or individual), however it is all dependant on what that individual student needs or how they learn. To speak generally, I think teachers use verbal/non-verbal encouragement (i.e. “Good Job!”/Thumbs up) and support on a daily basis. What it may look like varies of course, but it definitely goes a long way.
Student-centered learning provides the opportunity for students to become involved in their own learning – this means the teacher is no longer the only person involved in their progress, the children themselves also play a crucial role in positively reinforcing themselves, as well as others. Shifting their thinking from teachers being the only ones able to provide positive reinforcement and sharing the ownership amongst everyone in the class helps shape the classroom community. Learning doesn’t happen on its’ own; I make sure my students understand we may all be learning at different places and paces, but we do it together! 🙂
Hi Deanna–yes, good point about needing to match the incentive/reinforcement with each individual learner. Love your last line, too: “we may all be learning at different places and paces, but we do it together.” That’s the true spirit of inclusion! Thank you for commenting and entering the giveaway.
[…] ANNOUNCEMENT: Congratulations to Cassie Scott, randomly chosen as the winner of last week’s giveaway! Cassie, you’ve won an I LOVE INCLUSION tote bag and a free copy of the book Unstuck & On […]