In the book Soar with Your Strengths, authors Donald O. Clifton & Paula Nelson, state that we tend to focus on our weaknesses rather than on our strengths. The general belief is that we need to fix what’s wrong and let the strengths take care of themselves. The authors’ philosophy is to develop our strengths to the maximum, so much so that the strengths overwhelm the weaknesses.
What a radical idea! Instead of looking for the weaknesses in ourselves and in our students, we should be zeroing in on the strengths. We should help our students do more of what they are good at and then help them to manage their weak areas.
As the saying goes, “Success breeds success.” Celebrate, praise, and encourage! Make that your new mantra!
POINT OUT THE POSITIVE Want to increase your teaching time and spend less time correcting students? Then, point out the positive! Taking time to develop and practice positive reinforcement will create a culture for learning. Read more…
PARENT COMMUNICATION Have you made three positive contacts with parents? Parents or caregivers are you greatest advocate. Make the effort to contact the parents or caregiver of your students. Show them that you care about Read more…
MAKE EVERY MINUTE WORK FOR YOU! When thinking about specific directions for different classroom situations (such as seatwork, group work, use of manipulatives, etc.) think about the procedures you want your students to follow. Establish Read more…