As teachers, we understand that not every student will be “the smartest” or the “most gifted.” However, as teachers, we also know just how important it is the celebrate every single child for their ability & effort in a positive way!
True, someone may get their math facts quicker than others or “just get” most of what’s introduced. But, it’s also so important to celebrate the effort students put into those goals – even if they don’t ever “pass.” In my classroom, I celebrate the process as much as the end result.
Here’s a peek at a few simple ways I build my students up!
Prize Machine
As I was wandering around Crate & Barrel loading up my wedding registry, I ran into a giant prize machine in their kid section. I begged and pleaded if they would sell it to me…and they wouldn’t.
So, over the next few weeks, I became determined to find a prize machine for my classroom! Amazingly, Sam’s Club sells one {for about 80 bucks}! I ordered it online and it arrived about a week later! {Make sure to use eBates and get cash back to shop!}
I hopped over to eBay and purchased some prize capsules. You can either buy pre-filled 1″ capsules or just the empty 1″ capsules and load up on goodies at the Dollar Spot! I’ve done it both ways and found it way more fun to shop for stuff on my own! {Again, make sure to use eBates on eBay so that you earn cash back!} I reuse the little containers.
It’s INCREDIBLE and the kids are absolutely obsessed with visiting the machine!
Prize Machine Lucky to Be in First from Molly Lynch on Vimeo.
Emoji Clip Chart
In order to visit the prize machine, the kids must reach the top of the clip chart {I provide the quarters in a dish!}.
This year I’m using the Emoji Clip Chart and it makes me giggle every time I look at it!
Brag Bracelets
To celebrate effort, I use Brag Bracelets. They are super simple to manage – just print!
When I notice a student making a good choice, I simply wrap a bracelet around their wrist & tape it on!
They proudly wear their Brag Bracelets
It’s tricky to see a bracelet on tiny little wrists 🙂
I bought an inexpensive coupon organizer on Amazon to keep these brag bracelets easy to access.
Printable Post-It Notes
In all my years of teaching, I’ve realized that I have a really hard time doing things consistently. It takes major effort for me to remember to stamp student behavior charts or even pass out a sticker for awesome behavior each day.
I love super simple ways to let me kiddos know that I think they are awesome. Naturally, these Printable Post-Its have been lifesavers! I can quickly slap on a positive note to their desk, folder or work to let them know I think they’re the bee’s knees! 
They’re quick & easy to print and stash in a drawer for when I need a quick “Yay!” for a student!
I’ve also added a Printable Post-Its {Set Two} because I just can’t get enough puns in my life!
Positive Praises
When I was student teaching, I had an amazing master teacher! I hung on every word she said so that I could learn from the best first-grade teacher out there!
One of the things she tried to do was compliment students using a different phrase or adjective. That idea stuck with me all these years later!
To make it simple, I wrote some of my favorite phrases down.
Click the picture to grab this FREEBIE!
Student Shout Out Megaphone!
While cruising the WalMart aisles for school supplies, I stumbled on this amazing megaphone! I quickly ran home and pulled out my Silhouette to write something fun. I added a few random pieces of ribbon I had and VOILA…all this adorableness!
When I catch a student doing something great, I plan to announce it to the whole class! So fun, right?
Stamp It Out!
A quick & easy way to recognize great student work is with a fun stamp!
My students went nuts last year for this “Your Teacher Likes this Stamp!”
A custom stamp is available too! 
When we do Smart Cookie Math, I always stamp their pages with my “You’re One Smart Cookie” stamp if they pass the level! It could also be used to grade any papers where you’d like to show your students you think they rock!
How do you let your students know they are awesome?
We live in a Wonderful World. But it’s a world where we hear awful things every day – on the news, from our students, and many, many other places. While I do not shy away from the “bad” things that happen in the world, I try to enlighten my students with the good in the world as much as I can.
I could stare at these beautiful illustrations all day! I hung the finished pictures on my cabinets, but I’ve included a cover page in case you’d like to turn it into a class book!
