The A, B, C's of Getting Students to Smile
Dr. John R. Eggers
January 15, 2007
A,B,C’s of Getting Students To Smile
It’s cold outside and getting colder. There is no snow. Santa did not bring the video game Jason and Kim were hoping to get. Apple has created a super iPhone that can do everything but peel potatoes but no student can afford it. Plus more than half of the school year still remains. Your students are frowning. Wanna get them to smile? Try one of these A,B,C ways on how to do it.
A = Remind your students that they are supposed to give the teacher an “apple” now and then. Tell them if you get too many, you will make them some apple crisp.
B = Give your students “Bubblicious” Savage Sour Apple bubble gum. Have them deposit it in the garbage can before they leave the classroom.
C = Wear a red “clown” nose when your students look like they could use a good smile. Wearing unusual clothes always gets a smile.
D = In the spring, test all of your kids to see if they like butter by putting a “dandelion” under their chin. As you know, if it reflects yellow, they like butter.
E = Tell an “elephant” joke like “How do you get 15 elephants in a Volkswagen? (answer: Put 10 in the front seat and five in the back seat.)
F = Each day have a student demonstrate his or her “funniest” human trick.
G = Have a class “garage” sale. Each student should bring one item. The students and other teachers purchase the items and give all money to the local food shelf. Giving always brings out lots of smiles.
H = Ask your students to “huddle up.” When in the huddle tell them how important they are and give those students a warm fuzzy who really need it.
I = Surprise each student with a dish of “ice cream.”
J = Begin a class “joke” book. One student should contribute one joke per day. End the class day by having the student tell the joke.
K = Help student’s smile today by giving each a Hershey’s “Kiss.”
L = “Laugh” so much that your belly shakes. Have students hold their stomachs so they can feel their belly shake. Have one or two students demonstrate.
M = Have each student create a “motto” that reminds him or her of the need to smile. For example: “A smile each day keeps the tears away.” or “Be green and growing and not ripe and rotting.”
N = Have a be “nice” to everyone day.
O = Make it your class goal to help your students help “others.” Their reward will be smiles.
P = Take a “picture” of your students. This always will get a smile.
Q = Give your students a really tough “quiz” and after it is over, tell your students how smart they are and you don’t have to look at the papers. Each student will get an “A.”
R = Read your students the best “riddles” you can find or the funniest book you can find. If you need a good riddle book, check my home page: wowteaching.com.
S = tell your students to “smile” at least three times a day and have them record why they smiled. Give the students a chance to report on when they smiled and why. If that doesn’t work too well, sing them a “solo.”
T = Stand on your “teacher’s desk” the next time you want to emphasize an important point or when you give an important direction. Don’t fall off of your desk unless you want the students to really smile.
U = You are all “undertakers.” Say no to frowns by having a funeral in your classroom. Tell each student to draw a picture of someone frowning. Bury them in your waste can.
V = Show a “video” of your favorite comedy film.
W = Don’t forget to use your “whisper” voice. You can get your students’ attention easier and you will usually get a smile out of them especially if you tell a riddle in a whisper.
X = Have your students draw a big face with a frown on poster paper and place a big “X” over it. Post it on your classroom door.
Y = Play “yikes.” Every time you or one of your students says something that is negative, everyone shouts “yikes.”
Z = Have a “zany” day. Let your students decide how to do it.
Who Is John?