I know your name – Greet each student as they enter or leave your class by name. Shake their hand or give them a “high-five.” We feel that this is a great way to make each student feel important when they are called and recognized by name. It really sends a message that they are important to you and that you care about them.
They are all A and B students – Make a comment like, “All I see in this class are A and B students,” and then treat them accordingly until they prove otherwise. This is kind of like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Often when we give them expectations and treat them accordingly they rise to the occasion. Sometimes students are labeled negatively so often that they feel like they are already failing before the semester begins. It can be refreshing to a student to be labeled in a positive way.
Show and tell – Share personal stories and information about yourself so that students can get to know and feel that you are approachable. When you share information about yourself you are inviting them into your world. This often makes it easier for
them to let you into their world.
Have I got something for you – Give them a personal token or gift. It can be positive quote or object that serves as a reminder of some idea that you have been teaching them. This can be a very simple way to give them a symbolic reminder that you value and care about them. It can also be a great way to reinforce something that you have taught them or would like to emphasize.
Random act of service – Perform a random act of service or appreciation for a student with an encouraging note to pay it forward. This can be an excellent way to change a student’s negative attitude towards the class and can help create a more caring and nurturing environment. One of the greatest ways to increase self-esteem is to serve or express appreciation to another person. This is true whether they are the recipient or the giver of the service.
You are the teacher and I am the student – Give assignments or projects where the student can be the expert or teacher. Give them the opportunity to instruct you and the other students in the class. This is a great way to help students leave their comfort zone, improve social skills, build leadership skills, and self-confidence. Teaching something can be one of the best ways to learn and retain difficult concepts and
information.
You give the grade – Allow students the opportunity on an assignment to grade themselves. You may want to tell them what criteria you would use for grading them, but ultimately let them decide. This sends a message to students that you trust and value their judgment. We have found that when we do this, often students will be more fair in their judgment than if you were grading them yourself.
You make the call – Give students several options on a project or assignment and allow them to choose which one they would like to do. Students are so used to being told what to do. When you give them the freedom to choose their assignment, this often empowers and motivates them to put forth a greater effort.
Come together – Create a class competition against another class. Instead of competing against each other, this allows the students to work together with a common goal. Create a reward for the winning class. This can be a great way to get students to work together, support each other, and create class unity. There seems
to be more energy and focus when there is a shared purpose among the group of students. Even a very simple reward in this case can serve as a great motivator.
Share your passion – Share one of your hobbies, interests or passions and invite the students to do the same. Students become enthusiastic about class when they have the opportunity to share what they love and spend their time doing. It helps them to associate the passion that they feel for those things with the feelings of being in class. It can also be a very great way for class members and the instructor to get to know one another better. When you know what is really important to a student then you are on your way to establishing a good relationship.
This is a hallmark moment – Give a positive personal note at some time during the semester to each student. It could be mailed home or given to them personally. This is one of the best ways to send a sincere message outside of class that you care for a student and believe in them. Remember, “A student doesn’t really care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Getting to know you – For about three or four minutes at the start of class, spotlight a member of the class. You may want to have them fill out a questionnaire to gather information. Have a class member read about that individual and then have the class try and guess who it is. This is just another great way for students to feel comfortable in the classroom environment and like they are a part of the group.
My class is your class – Create a student-friendly environment. Make your class environment convey the feeling that you are interested in them and care about them.
Research suggests that if you create a warm and caring environment that attendance and student performance will increase. Ideas for this could be:

• Create a photo board with pictures taken of the class throughout the term.
• Have games and puzzles for kids to experiment with while waiting for class to start.
• Add some color or pictures to your room.
• Create a suggestion box for ways to make the classroom better.

Ask them – Ask students questions that allow them to express their opinions and ideas. Ask them what they like best about school. Ask them about their favorite teachers in the past and why they liked them. This gives you an opportunity to see ways that you can improve as their teacher. When people are given the chance to express their opinions it shows that you value their ideas and what they have to say.
Our class against the world – Let’s prove them wrong. Discuss what others think are limits to what the class can achieve and set a goal to prove them wrong. (i.e. The principal says that we’ve never had this class get all “Bs” or higher, or that we’ve never had a class get 100% attendance, etc.) Encourage the class to work together to prove them wrong and then have a celebration when they do.
You’re my leader – Allow students the opportunity to lead in different situations during the class. When you give someone a responsibility they will usually rise to the occasion. Often at risk youth are used to being put down. This can be an effective way to build up an individual and put them in a positive light in front of other students. It also gives you an opportunity to show confidence and trust in them as their teacher.
Celebrate success – Take opportunities to draw special attention to successes that students have, whether it be in school or out of school. Bring treats, a cake, have a party, let them listen to music, or have some other reward from you that shows
recognition of their success. This can be a key to keeping students and groups motivated and focused on a common goal. We have seen youth put forth an incredible effort for even a simple reward (such as a piece of candy). It can also add to the fun and enjoyment that students feel about class, which enhances learning and improves attendance.
Dress it up – As the instructor or teacher, at some point or for a special lesson, dress up for the class. Wear a tuxedo, a costume, a suit, a dress, or some formal or different attire that shows that this class is important and worth the extra effort on your part. This can also be a great way to add variety to a lesson and help to keep the
students’ attention.
You’ve got the blues – Tell the class that you realize that life can be challenging at home, school, or with peers. Because of that, you will give them three (or less) blue cards that they can cash in at any time for dropping an assignment or a quiz,
getting extended time on a test or larger assignment, etc. This is a great way to show that you have empathy for the challenges that they have. It lets them know that you
understand them and care about their personal lives. It allows you to put their interests first.

Service project/Give something back – Have the class come together for a service project of some kind. The project should be focused on supporting and building-up the community. (i.e. gather clothes for the homeless, gather food for a food drive, participate in a blood drive, plant trees, pick up litter, etc.) As the instructor or teacher, take this opportunity to work closely alongside the students. When students learn to turn outward in service, we often see several positive benefits, including less depression, increased gratitude, self-esteem, and motivation. In working with them in a service activity, you are in a sense teaching them to surrender the one-up relationship with others.
True or false – Share two true stories about yourself and one false one and have the class try and guess which one is false. Allow the class to get to know you a little better.
This is a very simple way to allow the class to know that you are human and approachable. It can be a fun way to make a game of your own story and background.
You’re the boss . . . I work for you – Tell the students that this school was built for them. That makes them the boss. It’s ironic that you are always grading them when they are the real boss here. Give students the criteria for getting an “A” grade in your class. Later ask students to give you the criteria for an “A” grade as their teacher. Ask them to grade your work so far and at different times during the semester.