Speech performance cards are used for students who need that extra incentive to cooperate during therapy sessions. Many of them were aware of the fact that they would not receive a grade for therapy and as a result didn’t put in much effort. For these students, I approached their teachers about having their performance in therapy play a role in their classroom grade. Luckily, the teachers were onboard!
At the end of a session, each student would receive a “grade” between 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest). I made sure to outline behaviors that can earn a score of 5. After a couple sessions I began to ask each of my students, “What do you think you deserve today?” They would also be prompted to tell me “why” e.g. “I think I should get a 4 because I was participating, and didn’t call out, but I was giggling with Andrew.” It was great to see the level of insight and awareness they had developed regarding the behavior of themselves and their peers!
After a “grade” was provided on the speech card, the student presented it to their teacher. The teacher would then incorporate it into their grade for the day (usually towards participation).
I found this to be a very useful system as students not only gained motivation to participate because they would get a “grade”, they also had to share the information with their teacher which further served as an incentive to perform and cooperate.
For those of you who need to add a bit more motivation into the mix I provide a sticker on a behavior chart for students who receive a 5 for the day. Students who receive 5 stickers in a row get a prize (I found candy bars to be super desirable)!
After using this system for a few days I began to have non-speech kiddos requesting to be seen for therapy!
What are some effective systems and techniques you’ve found to motivate your reluctant students?
If you download a copy of these editable performance cards, leave me a comment and let me know how it works out!
This is a great idea. I work with kindergarteners and first graders and I can adapt this idea in my sessions with these children.
ReplyDeleteWONDERFUL IDEA!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I found that some of my students became VERY competitive and wanted to get the most stickers. As a result they would not only come to sessions religiously, they would visit me randomly throughout the day in hopes it would earn them a sticker!
ReplyDelete