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Put Praise
In Writing

I often take time to praise students in writing. I leave notes on student desks and write notes on papers, I send postcards home, and, from time to time, I write a heartfelt letter of congratulations. A number of considerations prod me to make the effort to put praise in writing.

  • Students love to receive mail.
  • Spoken platitudes are nice and equally well deserved, but a handwritten note can be a source of continuing encouragement -- long after spoken words of praise have been forgotten.
  • Written expressions of authentic praise counter many parents beliefs that only bad news is sent home from school.
  • Letters or notes build a solid foundation for a positive relationship between the teacher, student, and home. Such notes demonstrate that the teacher truly cares about the student.
  • Students respond commensurately to the level of their teachers expectations. Letters can be used to express those expectations and motivate students to achieve them.
  • Written praise can increase student self-esteem.

    • Source: The Power of Written Praise by Max Fischer.

    09/14/2010



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