How do you promote student leadership in your classroom? One way that I promote leadership with the students is by giving a list of Leadership Axioms. During the first days of school while review policies and procedures, the axioms are introduced. We use these to help us become a better leader.

One of the things that do to help keep a positive mindset in the class is telling the students that Monday is actually the best day of the week. It is the day we get to start off fresh and work on fixing all the mistakes we made the previous week. Most of the time, helping students see the school day in a different light helps their success. What are ways you help students with positive thinking?

During state testing there is not much I can do to help the students. So, I give them each an elephant figurine. Since elephants are my favorite animal, I tell them that they are part of the “herd”. I use this to help relieve stress that the students might have with test anxiety.

Something that I’ve found with some of my students throughout the years is that they don’t know how to regulate their emotions. Instead of yelling at them, I prefer a conversation about what happened but only after I give them some time to cool down. I love this suggestion though because I think it’s the perfect conversation starter. What other ideas have you used with students?

What is tough for kids about being social?

We have our second progress monitoring next week. There are some strategies that I use to help the students prepare for the test. For example:

1. Arrange the seating beforehand so the students are not asking, "Why are the desks moved"
2. Give out 2 pencils everyday and collect them.
3. Have timed assignments. This helps pacing and focus.
4. Since we take the test on line, I email the students the link to the practice test so they can get used to navigating the program.
5. Lengthen a reading block so the students can build academic endurance of sustained reading.
6. Conference with the students to show them their first score and show a reasonable goal for the next test.
7. Use the dividers for the students during the weeks prior to the test.
8. Give test taking strategies for the students on how to "flag" and questions and go back to answer.
9. Email the parents with suggestions of foods, study habits and other tidbits to help them prepare their student.
10. Since my favorite animal is an elephant, I give the students a little elephant figuring to keep at their desk because they are part of my herd and they are special.