Making personal connections with students

Once or twice a month teachers at my school have a meeting to discuss behavior issues. I'm really impressed with my fellow teachers. We only talk about specific behaviors and always say that when we discuss a students behavior we talk as if they are in the classroom. This really cuts down on unnecessary comments and to be honest it's much more efficient.

In particular one student was mentioned. He is very bright, very intelligent but does not always fully engage in class. One thing that teachers noticed was he is constantly doodling. He has talent and obviously really enjoys drawing. I decided I would go out and get him a little sketch book. I pulled him aside today and showed him the book. His eyes lit up! I told him he had to improve his behavior and if he did and his classroom teachers told me he had improved I would give it to him as a place to draw. I made it very clear that he had to earn this book as a reward. The classroom teachers agreed to find a time during the day he would be allowed to draw in response to class.

This might not be the perfect solution. And I know I can't fix every student by giving them gifts but it is important to find personal connections with students and find out what motivates and drives them. I will keep you posted on weather or not he earns the sketch book and if this actually had a lasting impact.

incentives

The more I learn about by students the more I realize they really need clear TANGIBLE incentives. A colleague of mine described it as "puppy training with treats." Its true. I have clearly set up my consequences in my room (still working on 100% following up on them). Now the next step is implementing a really strong incentive program. I'm thinking maybe table wars of some kind. Students working together to do well. I'm not sure yet. I'm devoting this weekend to plan something that I will be able to stick to and that will get students motivated to work.

I tried something new today that worked. I wrote post it notes on some students work encouraging them to keep working hard and pointing out areas that I thought were really successful. THIS WORKED REALLY WELL. This gave me a chance to connect with students I havent had the chance to spend much one of one time with. I didn't say ANYTHING about the notes. I just let them look at them and digest take my comments in and get to work. I am going to keep doing this in some capacity throughout the year.

alright fellow art teachers I want to here what your incentives are. What systems do you use?