Lesson Objective:

Strategies for teachers to use to help raise student self-esteem.

Grade Level and Subject Area:

All grades. Any subject area.

Strategies:

* Use student names

* Shake hands with the students

* Have conversations with every student

* Provide multiple ways for students to be successful in your class

* Display student work

* Give each student a responsibility in the classroom

* Provide opportunities for student work to be judged by external audiences

* Take time to point out positive aspects of your students' work  

* Never criticize a student's question

* Take time to help struggling students understand the material

* Try to get to know about the student's life outside of school

* Ask students about their other activities (ex. "How was the soccer game, Natalie?")

* Help students turn failure into positive learning experience

* Encourage students to take risks

* Provide opportunities for students to make their own decisions about certain aspects of your class - maybe what kind of paper to use, what colors to make something, etc.

* Provide opportunities for students to work with each other

* Don't make assumptions about student behavior

* Allow students to suffer the consequences of their behavior - don't be overprotective

* Allow students to explore options in different situations  

* Celebrate your student's achievements, no matter how small