It is no secret that students learn more from us than what can be found in the formal lessons we teach. In fact, students often learn more from what we notice, what we ignore, and what we avoid than what is in their textbooks, the curriculum, or the standards they are expected to master.
Students often repeat what we say, imitate what we do, and embrace what we value. Consequently, it is important for us to be planful and strategic about what we notice, call out, and hold up in response to student behavior.
We know that if we spend most of our time correcting unacceptable behavior rather than reinforcing positive, appropriate behavior, many students will misbehave just to receive our attention. On the other hand, when students recognize that expected behavior is noticed and reinforced, they are more likely to adjust their behavior in that direction. This insight is one of the secrets of good classroom management.
The dynamic is also at play in more subtle and nuanced ways relative to specific behaviors. What we notice and reinforce every day, and in every circumstance, sends a message to students about what matters and the behavior patterns they should develop. When we focus our attention and recognition on specific circumstances and student actions, our influence can be even more pervasive.
Let’s examine five student behaviors that are closely associated with success in school and life. When we consistently recognize and reinforce these behaviors, we teach students their value and deepen their impact. We also increase the likelihood that students will see these behaviors as part of their identity and continue to practice them long after they leave us.
The first behavior is hustle. Students who hustle give consistent effort. They are often self- starters who need minimal encouragement to begin tackling a problem, practicing a skill, or completing a task. Self-starters frequently do more than the minimum or what is expected. They give consistent effort and look for ways to move ahead.
Also important is persistence. Students who demonstrate persistenceconsistently show up ready to work, even when it is hard. Persistent students keep going even after a setback. They push through struggles while looking for better approaches and more effective strategies. These students are committed to finding success and remain confident even before the outcome of their efforts is assured.
Another behavior that is closely associated with success is mastery of mistakes. This behavior should not be confused with carelessness. These students are willing to take learning risks that may lead to mistakes because they see mistakes as lessons to be learned and opportunities to try a difference approach. They accept mistakes as temporary, natural parts of learning.
Still another key success-generating behavior is optimism. These students are not unrealistically positive. They understand that learning and other efforts may be difficult, and they know they will experience setbacks. But they also believe that if they give their best effort and remain patient, the situations they face will improve, and they will eventually succeed. These students are more likely to see opportunities in difficulties than to become distracted by what is frustrating to them.
The fifth behavior is curiosity. Admittedly, curious students can sometimes be a challenge for us. They may ask lots of questions, have an active imagination, or present a unique perspective on the topics and issues at hand. However, their curiosity can be a powerful learning tool. Curiosity can open doors to possibilities, uncover hidden insights, and suggest new approaches to explore. In fact, curiosity is so powerful that it alone can overcome the typical learning challenges associated with poverty. We need to do all we can to preserve and nurture our students’ curiosity.
We might choose to formalize our recognition of these behaviors into daily shoutouts, weekly acknowledgments, or periodic awards. We just need to be certain that any student, regardless of academic performance, can receive them. Meanwhile, we need to remember that it is our daily recognition and reinforcement that will make the greatest impact.
