When you hear the word “celebrate” is this an image that comes to mind?
A fun gathering for a specific event with perhaps some balloons, a bit of confetti, and fun?
Dictionary.com has the following definitions for celebrate:
Who knew there were so many definitions?
How do you “celebrate” or “make known publicly; proclaim” in your classroom?
I want to celebrate “Kindness” – “Joey was kind to me when he held the door for me.”
I want to celebrate “Volume” – “I read two books this weekend.”
I want to celebrate “Happiness” – “I love this weather!”
I want to celebrate “Friendship” – “I appreciate the gift of time that you spent on following up on a previous conversation.”
I want to celebrate “Writing” – “I wrote an extra blog post!”
I envision generating “celebrate statements” to put in a class fishbowl, to share at a designated time or even to decorate the tree on the classroom door . . .
Can “public naming of actions” develop and sustain a positive mindset and climate in the classroom?
How can we use small steps (and small celebrations) to reinforce our progress towards big goals?
Tuesday is the day to share a “Slice of Life” with Two Writing Teachers. Thank you, Anna,Betsy,Beth, Dana, Deb, Kathleen, Stacey, and Tara. Check out the writers, readers andteachers here.
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You remind me of the power of naming it! And of course, something to celebrate!! Thanks for putting the 2 together for me. I’m working on having the kids make a plan of what to read over winter – I want to celebrate their volume of reading!! Thanks for giving me these words.
You are welcome, Sally! I owe it all to dictionary.com!
Daily – there’s always something to be said for NAMING!!! 🙂
Putting a name to something somehow makes it real and worth celebrating. All things, big and small, should be celebrated. I love the fishbowl idea. A great way to celebrate something every day.
Celebrations and joy seem to go together! Everyone should have “something” to celebrate every day! (in my opinion)
I think public naming of actions is a huge teaching move. We do it with reading behaviors, right? Why not with other behaviors as well?
Dana,
I so agree. And especially for the kiddos who don’t get recognized for the academic success. We have to make sure we are NOT excluding them! ❤
I think big goals are all about those small celebrations along the way. I try really hard to do this in my classroom, just so that my kids know that every step along the way is worthy and worthwhile.
Tara,
Such care with your kiddos . . . “every step along the way is worthy and worthwhile.” Love that! Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like noticing and naming to me — when we notice and name it always makes us more aware and more likely to do it again. Give it a go — can’t wait to hear what you notice!
Seems so simple, doesn’t it! Planning to notice and name a lot of “positives” in the time up to the holiday!
❤
I love this idea! I want to celebrate you, Fran, for being such an advocate for kids and teachers! Thank you!
Thanks, Catherine!
You just brightened up my entire WEEK!!! I want to celebrate you absolute “positivity”!!! ❤