Why Reaffirming Goals Works!

So, here's the deal about those goal letters: I was kind of --maybe just maybe --was a goal voyeur. Yup, I peeked at their goal letters before I sealed them and now I know my students' goals. Now, I have the task of reminding them constantly.

Of course, I have to remind them in ways that are sneaky. So, every first week of the learning period, I casually write on their academic plan (a paper defining their monthly progress) goals they can achieve for the month or reminders and words of encouragement. 

We will see how it goes, but so far, students have taken as much liking to it as any student would: with a very meh attitude. Of course, this is on the outside, so maybe on this inside they're happy someone reminds and encourages them of their progress.

In the meantime, I'm thinking about establishing other progress activities. For example, I can make a very large board with my students' names. Each time they earn a credit, they can a put a gold star by their name. It may just instill the spirit of competition. They may also see they're not alone in the progress they're making. 

What do you think? Do you think reaffirming goals works? Let me know in the comments section below!

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3 Ways to Close Out Your School Year Right!

If you're an Independent Studies teacher, chances are your school doesn't close during summer.

While Independent Studies may not be traditional, there is still an "end-of-the-year." Your students may graduate, transfer back to a traditional school or may just need the closure to the school year that summer time brings.

A great way to close out the school year for graduates is to discuss their short and long-term goals before they leave. You can also extend the offer to help them with questions/homework, etc. if they go off to college. Sometimes students need that transition.

You can also revisit goals they accomplished or didn't accomplish over the course of the school year. Remind them that this is a new school year and that they can also complete those goals and make new ones.

And my personal favorite: have your continuing students write a new school year letter to themselves. In this letter, have them address it to themselves. They can talk about what they would like to see/do in the new year and goals they want to accomplish. Seal it in an envelope and give it to your student at the end of the year or if they're having a hard time getting into school during the school year. This can be the confidence boost they need to work hard and stay motivated!

What would you like to add to this list?

Structure your Students with Goal-Setting!

Remember how students desire structure? Perhaps they don't receive enough of it at home.

The fact is: students need structure to succeed. It's a very important life skill that--unfortunately--a majority of your Independent Studies students are missing. That's why they're attending your school in the first place: your students missed the very important life skill of structure.

However, you have a very rare opportunity to teach your students with goal-setting:

1. From your very first appointment with your student, explain to them that you regularly have them set goals.

• You can do this by setting weekly goals. Here are some examples:
• "I will turn in two credits by next week's appointment." 
• "I will complete one credit of algebra by next Monday."

2. You can set long-term goals at the beginning of every semester. The best way for this to hit home is to have semester parent-teacher conference meetings where you all plan a long-term goal together.

3. At least once per learning period (or calendar month depending on how your school runs), provide your students with an Academic Progress plan (see attached for samples!).

• Take this time to talk to them about their long-term goals of graduation/getting a job/going to college. And remember: always attempt to frame these talks positively. If there are setbacks, remember, they can always come back from this setback because half the battle is just showing up.

What other goals would you like your students to learn?

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Playing Nice

Earlier this year, I was challenged to inject a little joy in my classroom. As an Independent Studies teacher, I technically don't have a classroom. But, I do have a roster of students I supervise as they work towards graduation.

Most Independent Studies teachers don't have an actual classroom and that makes it difficult to build social-emotional learning and classroom bonding. After all, students are there to get their stuff done and go home.

However, there are a couple of things you can do if you want to build joy in your classroom. My favorite is called Say Something Nice. Here's how to play:

1. Create a list of at least ten questions increasing in intensity and thoughtfulness. For example, your first question can be: "what's your favorite food and why?" Your last question can be: "what is your end goal here at school?" or: "What is one thing you would want your teacher to know to help you succeed in school?"

2. Hand out flyers to your students and pick a time that is reasonable for them to all show up to school. Pump up your game and let them know it should be a lot of fun (see the link for a sample flyer and Say Something Nice instructions!).

3. On the day of your Say Something Nice game, have your students stand in two circles: one inner wheel and one outer wheel. Both wheels face each other and the outer wheel moves clockwise after every question. Remember that list of ten questions? Now, students have one minute to answer per question.

4. After the group has rotated around once, end the game and tell them to collect one sheet of paper with a safety pin already in it or some tape already attached. Instruct the students that they must try to find something nice to write on every person's paper. Yes, it may be hard, and yes, students may not know each other, but that's the point: being nice is about putting other peoples' feelings first, which is an amazing life skill for students to learn, while getting to know each other better (see the link for a sample of students saying something nice on my paper).

So, there you go, as an Independent Studies teacher, you can still instill joy in your classroom!

If you have any ideas on how to spread joy in your classroom and build the bonds between your students and yourself, share them in the comment section below! 

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More Ideas for New Student Intake

If you're looking for extra ways to get to know your brand new students, consider getting interactive!

• Show them an "About Me" Powerpoint presentation slide and have them make one of their own! 
• Have them discuss their "About Me" slide to you and during their speech, you can listen for their reading comprehension skills, background knowledge or any speech issues.
• They could even do a Piktochart
• Or a short movie
• Or an essay.

In all these interactive methods, you can further get to know their educational background and understanding, which will help you further personalize their education.

Check out this sample Interactive "About Me" slide and have students create one too!

What interactive method would you use?

Welcome Your New Students with a Welcome Letter!

In my teacher prep classes, there was one phrase that always stuck out to me:

Students perform for who they love.

If they love themselves, they will perform their best. If students love their parents, they will try to impress them. If they love their friends, teachers, tutors, pastors, etc., they will try to perform their best for those people.

Students crave performing their best for someone. It gives them purpose. So, what happens when a student doesn't love anyone? Not even themselves? That's the attitude you want to nip in the bud from the very beginning. Give your your students the structured environment that allows them to express themselves and get to know you while you get to know them. 

Provide them with a welcome letter on their very first day. This letter will set the tone for the rest of their time in independent studies. You can also provide pertinent information like:

• contact information
• a little bit about yourself and your life
• school rules
• their appointment time and hours.

See the attached link for a sample welcome letter!

What else can you add to your welcome letter?

Calling all Independent Studies Teachers!

Welcome!

I've been an Independent Studies teacher for over two years now. In all this time, I have found a wealth of information for traditional high school teachers, but not a lot for Independent Studies teachers.

The thing is that Independent Studies teachers and their students already have the odds stacked up against them. Most likely, your students couldn't make it in a traditional high school setting. They were on the verge of dropping out for reasons that feel out of their control. When they sign up with you as a new student, their self-confidence is most likely already broken. They may feel like failures before they even meet you.

Consider this blog your resource bank, a place where you can get ideas to run your classroom successfully; a place where you can get the tools to lead your students to success. They need you and you need them.

Thank you for tuning in and enjoy!

Ms. Ling.