Ms. Monaghan's Message - June 22
Challenge, Inspire, Empower, Serve
St. Patrick Garage Sale
Volunteers are needed! Sign up here: www.volunteersignup.org/XHCWR
Donations accepted at the doors of St. Patrick School on the following Wednesdays from 5:00 – 7:00 PM:
•May 23, 30
•June 06, 13, 20, 27
•July 11
** Call Denise Wilderson at (816)718-5062 for questions or other drop-off times.
•Tuesday July 17, 6:00 -9:00 PM (Parish & School EARLY BIRD SPECIAL- Shop & enjoy FREE ICE CREAM FLOATS SERVED BY DEACON MIKE).
•Wed. Thurs. Fri. July 18,19, 20 : 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
•Sat. July 21 8:00 AM-12:00 PM ( $2.00 Bag Sale)
Yearbook Signing Party
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FZkOrsS5joGJ7YypPXang6nh7Nfp_OgkD8Xt14r6qFs/edit?usp=sharing
New Phone Number
I'm excited to say, I have a new phone that you can call that will come directly to me! You can text or call and I will get your message with ease. I can't promise you that I will always answer (meetings, classroom observations, etc.), but I will always have access to your message immediately. You can reach me at: 816-890-2670
Summer Reading Program
Need a new copy of the list? You can find them here:
K-2:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rulU-PUfprlnbmvxSS-fXdHRaNBSOTgPCJWXWbTIeQs/edit?usp=sharing
3-5: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fT_wOY36HhPH6TiY48kEfZo5MjskjpC06lzb13IkA2w/edit?usp=sharing
6-8: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QVfsdGFEwiaBwQDqO_ESSQi6f6hXwvLZmpmrllC1th0/edit?usp=sharing
Motivating our Children
But when it comes to helping around the house, these four typically motivated people, turn into the least motivated, lazy kids I've ever known. Complete strangers! I don't ask a lot. Pick up your own stuff. Hang your wet towel. Don't leave wrappers and empty water bottles laying around. Easy things! Yet how many times do I have to ask them to do these easy things before they just start doing them???? Wouldn't not turning your mom into a raging lunatic the minute she walks into the door be enough to motivate you? Apparently not.
In school, I've noticed some of these same things in our students. Some students are over achievers and work hard at every single thing they do, and other students (who, like my own, are really great, motivated kids in most other ways) have zero motivation to work hard and do their best. Teachers try different methods to motivate, but for some kids, no amount of reinforcement seems to work.
One of my goals this year is to find new ways of motivating our students. I believe the #1 motivator for students is developing a personal connection with their teacher. Kids work hard for teachers they like. They are more likely to do their best, put forth more effort, and have a positive attitude when they walk into a classroom where they feel connected. We are working on that this year as a staff.
There are other ways to motivate kids, as well, and I want to implement these strategies throughout the year. Many of them are simple, easy things such as changing the way we talk to our kids/students. Instead of saying, "Wow, you got an A, good job!" We say, "Wow, you worked so hard to study and you got an A! You should be proud of how hard you worked." Little things like this take the emphasis off the grade and put the emphasis on the hard work that got the grade.
Check out the video for more ways you can change the way you encourage your kids!
The 7 Secrets of Motivating Children
2. Let them have a say (when it's appropriate). Kids are born trying to create an independent relationship from their parents. When they feel they have a say, they feel as if they have some independence in making choices. This can be as easy as giving them input on what chores should be on their list or when they think it's a good time to do homework. "You can decide if you want to do your homework right after school or right after dinner."
3. Let them learn from failure. We talked about this last week when discussing resilience. Kids can't grow and learn from tough situations if we are constantly swooping in to save them from failures. When failures happen, ask questions rather than lecture. For example, if your child failed a test, instead of getting angry, you could say, "Why do you think you struggled on that test? Do you feel like you put in enough study time? How did you study?" These questions can lead to great conversations where kids figure out what they need to do to be better prepared for the next time.
4. Help them to remember. Kids don't always fail to do things because they don't care or aren't motivated. Many times, they simply don't remember. If your child is responsible for taking out the trash on Wednesday, remind him the night before. Remember, though, there's a difference between helping and nagging. Instead, teach your child to set reminders for himself or to get into a routine. Then, if he fails to remember, he can be responsible for controlling the mess throughout the week...which no one wants to do!
5. Make it achievable. Don't make tasks so involved that there is no way your child can be successful. If you want your child to clean his room, and it hasn't been cleaned in months, don't expect it to all get done in one sitting. Instead, set smaller deadlines. For example, "Today, I want you to clean out your dresser. Take out anything that is dirty, fold everything neatly, and organize your clothes. Tomorrow, focus on cleaning up any dirty clothes and getting your laundry done, folded or hung."
6. Provide incentives. These incentives don't have to be "things". If your child has done his chores every single day, the incentive can simply be positive recognition like, "Wow, you've worked hard to keep up on your chores this week! I'm so grateful that you've been such a big help." Or, "I thought I'd have to clean house tonight when I got home, but you have worked so hard on your chores this week, I don't have anything to do! Let's walk to the park (or other fun family outing) instead!"
7. Make it fun. People are less motivated when something is a boring, dull task. You know your child best, so you can make it fun for them in the way that works best for them. Maybe competition motivates your child, so you can say, "On Friday, I want to go out for ice cream. Anyone who has completed all of their chores this week can come with me!" Or maybe your child is motivated by playing games. You could say, "Right now, we need to clean out the garage. Let's see how fast we can get it done. I'll set the timer!"
The most important thing is to remember that these are KIDS. They aren't like us. Many of us are motivated to work hard at our jobs for the simple fact that it provides us with the income we need to live. Our kids don't have that motivation, so we have to work hard to help build it in them!
St. Patrick School
Email: kmonaghan@stpatrickkc.com
Website: stpatrickkc.com
Location: 1401 Northeast 42nd Terrace, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: (816)453-0971
Facebook: facebook.com/St.PatrickKC
Twitter: @StPatrickKc