Volume 3, Number 2

1996 Indiana University - The Center for Adolescent Studies

Self-Esteem Builders

Lesson Objective:

Grade Level and Subject Area:

Strategies:

• Use student names
  
• Shake hands with the students
  
• Have conversations with every student
  
• Provide multiple ways for students to be successful in your class
  
• Display student work
  
• Give each student a responsibility in the classroom
  
• Provide opportunities for student work to be judged by external audiences
  
• Take time to point out positive aspects of your students' work
  
• Never criticize a student's question
  
• Take time to help struggling students understand the material
  
• Try to get to know about the student's life outside of school
  
• Ask students about their other activities (ex. "How was the soccer game, Natalie?")
  
• Help students turn failure into positive learning experience
  
• Encourage students to take risks
  
• Provide opportunities for students to make their own decisions about certain aspects of your class - maybe what kind of paper to use, what colors to make something, etc.
  
• Provide opportunities for students to work with each other
  
• Don't make assumptions about student behavior
  
• Allow students to suffer the consequences of their behavior - don't be overprotective
  
• Allow students to explore options in different situations
  
• Celebrate your student's achievements, no matter how small