Tips

50 Opportunities to Say "You're Terrific"

This comes from Lee Canter & Associates--1992


Praise students for:

1. Entering the classroom quietly

2. Arriving to class on time

3. Cooperating while teacher takes attendance

4. Returning permission slips and school forms on time

5. Transitioning into an activity

6. Following directions

7. Saying "please" and "thank you"

8. Listening attentively

9. Helping a classmate

10. Bringing necessary materials to class

11. Handing in homework

12. Being a polite audience at an assembly

13. Beginning work right away

14. Asking questions when unsure

15. Good behavior during a test

16. Participating in a class discussion

17. Walking appropriately in the halls

18. Working cooperatively with a partner

19. A performance in a play or presentation

20. Cleaning up

21. Good effort on an assignment

22. Assisting a new students

23. Sharing school experiences with parents

24. Making up missed assignments

25. Making a new friend

26. Good effort on a long-term project

27. Sharing

28. Being sensitive to others' feelings

29. Learning a new skill

30. Appropriate use of school property

31. Returning borrowed books and materials

32. Showing enthusiasm

33. Being responsible for a classroom job

34. Offering help without being asked

35. Not wasting paper and supplies

36. Staying on task

37. Telling the truth

38. Accepting a new challenge

39. Behaving when a guest is in the room

40. Reading at home

41. Participating in school functions

42. Demonstrating a positive attitude

43. Giving one's best effort

44. Participating in a community improvement project

45. Participating in a group activity

46. Remaining calm during a problem situation

47. Showing creativity

48. Keeping busy when work is finished

49. Taking turns

50. Working cooperatively with an aide or volunteer


Ways to Praise:
Use the following phrases along with a specific statement of what the student did well.


Wow! Terrific! That's great! Fantastic! Superb! Good job! Nice going! Awesome! Good try! Excellent! I appreciate...! You're Tops! Hurray! Way to go! Keep it up! Great effort! You're doing fine! Thank you! Doing good!


Smile, shake hands, thumbs up, high five


(For example: Wow! I love how you and Amy worked together until you got the assignment done. Good job!)