We all know that we should be nice to others ..., but sometimes kids {and adults} don't realize that they, too, should talk nicely to THEMSELVES! Positive self-talk is so important and a valuable skill one will use through one's entire life. School can be a hard place .... I can't imagine the thoughts that go through little ones' heads as they see their peers "get it" while they struggle. That's a lot of pressure for our youth... not to mention, testing, testing, testing & grades! WHEW.
Well, after a lot of soul searching last year about what I could do to encourage my kids to not be scared of and do their best on tests, I came up with an idea... I started having my first graders write notes to themselves on their test. Notes of love, encouragement, words of wisdom and happiness to themselves. They were also allowed to TALK SMACK to their test! This could be very entertaining. I can still hear some of them now ... "You don't scare me TEST!" "I am gonna get you!" "I will knock you to the MOON!" Then I would say, "Uh huh! You tell that test who's BOSS!"
Well, I have continued the tradition again this year with my latest crop of Smart Tarts, and I thought I would post some of the cute notes they write to themselves, their test or sometimes me....
Since doing this for 3-4 weeks now, our Spelling Test results are at a record HIGH ... 16 kids got 100 & 6 more got in the 90's. ALL of my 23 little Smarties PASSED!! WOOHOO!
Coincidence?? I think not!!
