In a message dated 01/12/2004 10:59:07 PM Eastern Standard Time,
mwhiteaz@cybertrails.com writes:
The student council at my school is sponsoring 2nd quarter honors night
for all grades 5-8. I'd like to give some awards for art. There were
several A students in each class. My question: give one award per grade
for the highest average, or an award for each of the A students? At the
HS my criteria were quite stringent, but with these little guys it seems
I should loosen up.
Hi, Maggie,
My opinion is give several A students in each class the awards. In fact, give
as many awards as possible! Do they have awards for effort or helpfulness,
for example, or just averages? We are in the business of making the kids feel
good about themselves and reinforcing self-confidence. Sometimes that little
positive reinforcement is enough to change a kid, or at least guide them in a
direction towards creating more and more art.
Of course, I teach the real little ones (K-5), but by the time I get through
with them, they all believe they are artists. Everytime I put their work on
display, give an award, and verbally acknowledge their accomplishments, I'm
working towards my ultimate goal of getting the kids to believe in themselves as
artists. Easier to build up the little ones, I suppose, without having to
figure out "highest averages", as you must for the older kids.
Susan on Long Island
