Okay, so all the teachers who have no classroom issues arise in their gymnasium or classroom, feel free to skip ahead and stop reading.

Now anyone still reading I’m going to say something that may offend/upset you… STOP WRITING EMAILS/CALLING HOME every time there’s an issue with a student. It doesn’t work for everyone and for those few students who do improve/alter their behavior, they now only respect you out of fear and not in a genuine sense where growth can occur both academically and socially both with you and other students in your classroom. 

I spent 11 years teaching in an elementary school in north Minneapolis. We had students coming into our building who had experienced a variety of levels of trauma. School for many of our students was their safe space. It has been known that behaviors often occur in a child’s safest place, since they feel they are able to stretch expectations past the breaking points. I never was a believer in contacting parents about behaviors. I understand the importance of notifying parents of situations that may affect their child’s grade, but to me, emails sent home were not the answer and usually just made things worse.

Instead… send weekly POSITIVE/ENCOURAGING EMAILS, and make POSITIVE ENCOURAGING PHONE CALLS HOME.

About 4 years into teaching, I began this practice and it was an instant game changer. I have used it since. I try to send 5-10 each week to various stand out students in grades kindergarten through 5th grade. My students are unaware when their parent will receive an email, but they are aware that at any time an email could be sent. These positive/encouraging emails not only WILL improve classroom behaviors, but also provide a great avenue to advocate for your program. In my emails, I also share a small blurb about what we did or are doing in PE during the week. 

“Find the good. It’s all around you. Find it, showcase it and you’ll start believing in it.”

Jesse Owens

This microblog post was a featured post in #slowchathealth’s #microblogmonth event. You can search for all of the featured posts here. Please do follow each of the outstanding contributors on social media (including Mike Chamberlain, the author of this post) and consider writing a microblog post of your own to be shared with the global audience of slowchathealth.com

Teachers, have you considered positive emails and phone calls home to acknowledge your students’ achievements? Check out this #microblog from @mchamberlainPE for tips on how to do it and why it’s important! #slowchathealth

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Pair this post with the following:

Happiness Factories by Phil Mathe

What Is The Most Fun Thing You’ve Ever Done? by Mark Housel

How to Facilitate Deeper Connections to Physical Activity by Jordan Manley

Have you read the latest Book of the Month recommendation?