Thanks and Praise

1/8/2023

Thanks	Praise
For acknowledging work, actions, and behaviors that meet expectations	For acknowledging work, actions, and behaviors that exceed expectations
Appreciation	Celebration
Sounds like “Thank you, Jordan, for pushing your chair in and lining up quickly and quietly” Or “I appreciate everyone who is reading quietly while others finish.” Or “Way to go table #1 for having everything put away correctly”	Sounds like: “The way you modeled this in addition to showing the math - even though the question didn’t ask you to - is really top-notch work. WOW!” Can I show this to the rest of the class? Or “Riley applied what we learned last week in a new and unique way - extraordinary job Riley!” Or “I just wanted to call and let you know that your son showed a level of responsibility today that is exceedingly rare for his age. You must be so proud of him, wow!”
Using students’ names gives it added pop	Using students’ names amplifies the personal nature of the affirmation
Should be frequent	Should be reserved for above-and-beyond effort that yields above-and-beyond results for the particular student, group, or class
Best delivered with a smile, possibly a fist bump, high five, hug, etc	Best delivered with a smile, possibly a fist bump, high five, hug, etc
Shouldn’t be very dramatic or overly effusive	Go ahead, bring the drama. Make it special.
Shows students that you care and that you notice them doing the right thing	Shows students that you care and that you celebrate when they go above and beyond
Might be its own reward, or might earn a small token of appreciation, like a PBIS point	Might be its own reward, or might earn a call home, a “positive referral,” or some sort of prize
Might be directed at an individual, a group, or a whole class	Might be directed at an individual, a group, or a whole class
When given publicly, should remind other students of minimum expectations and procedures	When given publicly, should encourage other students to aspire to far more than minimums
If given where praise is appropriate it becomes disappointing	If given where thanks is appropriate, it becomes condescending
Should never be done sarcastically	Should never be done sarcastically
Should make the recipient feel seen, appreciated, and affirmed	Should make the recipient feel proud, accomplished, and energized to keep reaching