Here's an end-of-the-year motivation move that fits inside of a class warm-up (5 minutes or so) and helps with Credibility (by signaling Care) and Belonging.
Tomorrow at the start of class, hand your students a sheet of lined paper and say this:
“You know class, I was thinking the other day — wow, the year is almost over! And I've only got a few weeks left with these students. And when I look around at them during class, I smile thinking about all the things I've gotten to know about them — but I also find myself curious about what else there is to know!
“Today for our warm-up, really simple — I'd like you to write five things to me that you think I should know about you in order to have a fuller picture of who you are. While you're writing yours, I'll write mine, too — and just as I'll ask you to turn yours in to me, I'll let you read mine.
“What I think this assignment does is gives us all a chance to reflect on how little we're really known AND how good it is to know the folks around us.
“All right — what questions might you have?
“Okay — let's get to it. I'll set a timer for five minutes. What are five things that you think I should know about you that I probably don't already?”
You set the timer.
Your write yours and post it someplace they can access it (e.g., on Canvas).
You walk around and encourage them to write all five things or for the whole five minutes.
And then you collect them.
After class, you read them. And you *enjoy* the magnificent depth and complexity and wonder contained in each of those creatures that comes to see you each day, for just these few days more.
It'll signal to them that you care.
It'll signal to them that folks like them have aspects of identity that matter in places like your room.
And it'll encourage you as you finish up this school year.
Best to you, colleague,
DSJR
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