This year I have tried a few things that I hadn’t tried before but the biggest impact  that I have seen doesn’t come from my implementation of Interactive notebooks, Cornell Notes, or even the more hands on activities that I include in the lessons.  But reciting the classroom pledge has made the biggest difference ever in my classroom.  One of the things that I learned from my experience at National Spinning was the importance of self worth.  At National Spinning my role was to talk with the employees to see what the company could do to make their work environment even better.  I decided to let me students know how important they were to me.  Everyday we begin our class with a letter I gave to them during open house.  There are 9 statements that we recite daily.  For example #1 says; You are Important.  The nine statements let the students know that I care about them, I value their opinion, I will help them succeed, etc.

Their behavior and respect towards me has been the best I’ve seen in along time.  When the students know you care about them, then they will show you that they care about you.