Hi everybody,
If you don �t mind I �d like to ask your advice.
For the last few years I �ve been giving certificates to the students who tried really hard at the end of each term. I �m thinking of changing the system and giving certificates to all the students and writing comments suitable for that child on each, so that the weaker students also feel motivated to study harder.
My first question is, do you think (and I know this will be subjective but wanted to hear some opinions) it �s better to single out the hardest working students for this reward or to give them to all the students with comments matched to each individual?
Secondly, after an experience a few years back when only a couple of students in a class wanted to take an English test but when I gave them their certificates in front of the other students, some of the other children got very upset saying it was unfair of me to give the certificates out in front of everyone when not everyone had one (contrary to my expectations which was that it would inspire them to try the test the next time, too!! how little we sometimes know), I have been sending the end of term certificates to students in the post to avoid this kind of problem.
However, this time one mother suggested that she thought it would be better if I could give the certificates out in front of everyone as then the students who received them would feel so proud of their achievement and (same as I initially thought) the other students would feel inspired to study harder.
My second question, which do you think is better, a) to give the certificates out in front of everyone where they can compare either who got them or, if I gave to everyone, what is written on them, or b) to continue to post the certificates to my students � homes?
Thanks in advance for all your helpful advice.
For those of you who are on spring vacation like me I hoep you �re enjoying it, and I hope the rest of you are having a good week at school.
With love to all.
Julia
