Two Simple Rules to Motivate Students to Try
Have you ever had a kid in your class that just wouldn’t write? Or maybe they keep asking you to check in on them while they work. I used to have this happen, but by setting the stage with these two simple rules, students in my class now work independently with bravery and courage.
On the first day of school, we begin our first step into Writer’s Workshop with Brave Writing Time. This is an important time each day that we simply write. While there are prompts to lean on, students are also encouraged to free write. Either way, it is meant to be completely independent writing. Before we begin, I explain that there are only two wrong things they can do during this time, Judge and Nothing.
In order to encourage their full engagement, students must trust that they are in a safe space. These two simple rules give them the only parameters needed to bravely take on new challenges. These rules lower the stakes, allowing their minds to concentrate on thinking instead of worrying about whether or not they are “doing it right.”
Not allowed to judge: Once judgement is off the table it allows the learner the freedom to put anything on the page. Often writer’s will not write if they think they have to produce a certain quality or certain outcome. If the expectation is simply that words get on the paper, but it doesn’t have to be anything yet, then anything seems possible. This rule also takes off the fear that another student will attack or demean someone for their attempt.
It’s incredibly important to always back this up in your learning space. If a student shouts out a judgmental comment, it’s important to react kindly but firmly that this is NOT allowed.
Management Tip: if a student shouts out a judgmental comment, you could say, “I know you didn’t mean to hurt feelings*, but that could be taken as an incredibly judgmental comment. Judgement of ours or others work is not allowed here. You can always give kind feedback from your personal reader perspective, but since you’re not the author, you don’t have the grounds to judge
*Even if the student did mean to hurt feelings-stating that you know they didn’t, lets them off the hook. It gives them the opening to save face and naturally deescalates the situation.
You are not allowed to do nothing: Stating this explicitly at the outset is important to set the expectation that during work time, everyone works. Since the judgement factor has already been lifted, they already know that it is low-stakes. They know that if they are trying something (even if it is “wrong”) it will still be honored for an attempt and used to help them continue to level up their learning through coaching and feedback.
It is important to explain that the reason they can’t do nothing is because the class team needs their voice to make it whole, they are an important perspective that only they can be. Also, their attempt gives something to build on and to grow with. Without doing something, what’s the point?
Management Tip: If a student still continues to do nothing, chances are either they are afraid that whatever they produce won’t be good enough or they don’t see worth in doing it. Sit side by side with them and try to write something together or let them draw a picture and write a caption. No matter what they produce, make sure it is celebrated publicly with the class. It will only take one other student saying “That’s cool!” to encourage future participation.
These two rules have leveled up my classroom as a thriving learning space where every student is engaged and willing to try in the face of challenge. Once these two rules are embraced in your Brave Learning Community you are ready to level it up through the power of feedback and coaching.
