Judith is one of our keynote speakers at this year's conference.

The Art of Acknowledging Students
Judith Baenen

Why are middle schoolers so embarrassed about being good? Even those students who love their moms and dads, care for their siblings, get good grades, and like school, hate being pointed out as someone who cares, studies, or cooperates. What is so bad about being good?

Of course, experienced middle grades teachers know it isn't being good that embarrasses them, it's being singled out. Even the boldest middle grades student is inherently averse to attention, especially from adults. The student who gets snorts and snickers from peers for some silly antic or egregious remark carries on with aplomb, but that same student would be reeling with humiliation if a teacher noted his or her high score on an assignment or a kind act in the hall.

Of course, that doesn't mean good work and good behavior should go unnoticed. Here are a few ways of acknowledging students without embarrassing them.

Praise in private. Just as you would reprimand in private a student who exhibits poor behavior, find a private moment to offer congratulations to a student who has done well. This can be done in a very casual way: "By the way, great job handling that argument today." Or, the situation may warrant a more focused conversation: "You know, I wanted to tell you how nice it was of you to help Danny pick up his books." These conversations can be held between classes or during a quiet moment in the library or in a study hall when other students aren't paying much attention.

Use classroom displays. Students need models of good work. Your classroom walls and bulletin boards are the best place to show off student work that has met or exceeded expectations. These models can be displayed without any additional praise or attention to the persons who performed the work.

Mail your praise. Keep a stack of postcards in your desk (If you travel, use postcards from your journeys.). When a student does something really noteworthy—especially if it's being kind to others or exercising control—jot one or two sentences of praise on the postcard and mail it. Be sure you address it to the student; if parents also see it, wonderful, but it's the student who needs the recognition.

Create an age-appropriate caught being good wall.Call it something more suitable to middle grades students, such as CHIC (Character Here Is Cool) or KEWL or LknGd—or ask the students to think of a name. Teachers can discreetly post names of students who have done something especially kind for another student, teacher, or other person in the building. Just list the name, not the deed. Any student whose name is on the wall receives a small treat at the end of the month.

Sincere praise can be a valuable tool in building student confidence and reinforcing positive behaviors. However, effusive or empty praise and recognition of one or two students that, in effect, puts other students down can have a negative impact on student morale and classroom climate. Use praise sparingly but well.

Judith Baenen, a former classroom teacher, speaks and writes about middle grades students and the issues that affect them. She is author of National Middle School Association's HELP, More HELP, and HELP for Teachersand editor of The Family Connection.