So, to try and remind them of the goals that they have set for themselves and to keep them focused, I got them to write their targets on slips of coloured paper in the shape of fruits. To symbolise the 'fruits' that they would want to bear at the end of the school year. Then we stuck all the fruits onto our class noticeboard. They seemed quite excited about the plan. Or so it seemed.
Next, I thought they should write words of encouragement to one another, or to the class in general, to spur one another on in their studies and behaviour towards one another. So I got them to write notes of encouragement on little slips of heart-shaped paper and stuck those onto the noticeboard as well...like so...
And because they had been studying pretty hard for the fortnightly spelling tests which I give them, I decided perhaps it was time to acknowledge that bit of hard work. They seem to respond real well to praise and recognition so I thought putting up a simple Spelling Champion Chart would be a small form of encouragement to those who are doing well. (ok, IT unsavvy me is unable to rotate this round and make it stay. It keeps going back to this position! Do me a fave, just twist your head to the left and imagine it on a noticeboard ya?)
Last but not least, for youngsters these people have really lousy memories. In a bid to help them remember what homework needs to be handed in by when, and what forms/books/money and other paraphernalia need to be brought by when, I put up a calendar chart thingy with colourful post-it slips stuck on when needed. Am hoping that the pretty-ness of it all might be some form of motivation to check/look at the board.
Sigh. I'm crossing my fingers. I don't know how else to help them honestly.
