How to Inspire Writing and Reading

myABCdad Learning for Kids

Compliment and acknowledge positive actions and choices with an action leaf and inspire early reading and writing for kids with Elliot and his dad.

My recollection of rewards at school tended to involve a sticker or stamp, with the words ‘Well done!’ or just a big juicy check mark. I loved it and it became something I began to expect.

Fast forward several years and I climb on board the wonderful world of teaching. Almost immediately, I start questioning rewards. Why and what was I giving them for? Did they know why they were receiving them? Have I expressed my meaning? Does a check mark capture my authentic feelings about their work, actions, decisions and progress? How do I acknowledge more than work, but actions and choices?

While teaching Grade 4 at the International School of Geneva in Switzerland between 2003 and 2007, the idea of making a tree and attaching written leaves of acknowledgement surfaced. The idea was adopted throughout the primary school. Teachers were encouraged to help celebrate positive actions, choices and efforts made in their classrooms, by writing authentic notes describing what the child did and how it connected with the learner profile and attitudes woven into the fabric of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.

Every whole school assembly included time devoted to reading out leaves, usually by our principal. Leaves were then attached to a large, painted paper tree outside the main office of the elementary school. The tree took time to grow, with recipients attaching leaves each week. By the end of the year, the tree was in full bloom; a lasting impression on all taking time to read and reflect. In classrooms, children valued each leaf, promoting further great effort and action.

Classroom Action Trees

In fact, the impact was so great, that our class pinched the idea and we planted an Action Tree in our classroom. In this way, not only could leaves be written from teacher to student, but could become a vehicle, inspiring children to write leaves to each other. We made time to allow students to read leaves, before attaching them to our classroom tree. Not only did the class take complete ownership over developing a positive learning culture, but the act provided powerful reasons to write and read.

As I moved on to different international schools, different grade levels and different parts of the world, I began each year planting an action tree in the classroom. The idea took root and an action trees grew to include leaves from classmate to classmate, parent to child, child to parent. By the end of each year, classrooms became jungles.

Action Tree At Home

Now that my teaching and learning journey has shifted homeward, I want to acknowledge my son, Elliot and some of his actions and choices. In particular, I want to highlight the ones that stand out, the ones where he has not been asked, he has just done it himself. With written words on a leaf, I can express why and what blew my socks off. I read each leaf out loud and Elliot attaches them to our tree.

Upon writing Elliot’s first leaf, I run it by my wife, Sophie.  With her opinion, I learn a little bit and tweak my approach. Originally, at the end of my leaf, I write, ‘I am very proud of you Elliot and keep it up!’ Sophie suggests that instead, I change it to ‘You can be very proud of yourself and keep it up!’ explaining that in this light, Elliot can decide whether or not to be proud of himself, and not proud for my sake. It makes complete sense. Watch as I read Elliot his first leaf in our supporting video.

Although still learning, I feel that the idea of an Action Tree and Action Leaves has evolved into one where the power of the reward is coming closer to matching the impact of an action and with it, a greater lasting effect on Elliot.

FREE Action Leaves

Download Free Action Leaves and start growing your own Action Tree today by clicking on the image below.

Download Free Action Leaves.
Download your own free Action Leaves.

 

After downloading and growing your own Action Tree, please let us know how it goes: myabcdad@gmail.com


Learn more about how to make an Action Tree and when it can be helpful:


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