Trish Prentice
August 26, 2011
Need another quick idea for building classroom community? Tell your students that you have a secret to share with them. Make them raise their right hand and promise not to tell anyone. Once you have everyone's rapt attention, whisper to the students, "Mrs. Richards, the principal, always seems to give me the best Kindergarten students!" (Of course, you have to change the name and grade to fit your situation.) Follow up with "Yes, I always seem to get the smartest, kindest, friendliest and hardest working students in the entire school. Everyone tries so hard to make good choices. I am the luckiest teacher! But don't forget, you can't tell anyone!"
Remember the movie, Field of Dreams, with the accompanying famous line, "Build it and they will come?" It's the same type of idea. Telling your students why they are so wonderful will give them a clearer picture of what you expect from them. They just might rise to the occasion.
Throughout the year, I refer to my "secret" periodically. Sometimes I point out a situation that confirms what Mrs. Richards "says" about them. Other times I'll bring it up again as a reminder of my expectations.
I also tell the parents at our "Begin the Year Open House" the "secret" too. It's guaranteed to get smiles from that crowd. Your positive attitude will go a long way to endearing you to the hearts of your students' parents.
Is it a problem if parents hear the same statement with the second or third child? No, in fact, their smile will be the biggest in the crowd. They will be glad to hear that you are just as enthusiastic about this class as you have been in the past.
So give it a try. It's easy and you don't have to spend any money, copy any papers or cut out anything. What a lucky teacher!