Doesn't that just make you smile too? A smile makes everyone feel good, especially when the weather is nice, and all we want to do is be outside, after school and work on days like these. We have been seeing a low attendance rate over the last few weeks, and I have a feeling that is partially due to the weather changing. We want our students to continue coming to tutoring each week until our year is through. How do we do this? Well I've been thinking about that and other than bribing them (which we should not be doing at all), I think a good ole' smile and positive attitude is sure to bring our students back to us each week.
Sometimes I catch myself throughout the day frowning. I don't know why, not because I am unhappy or sad, but maybe because I am focused or thinking about what I have to do after work, or checking over the weekly spelling tests. I realize that frowning not only puts more wrinkles on my forhead, but it doesn't make me or my students feel good. The week before Spring Break I tested a little smile theory on my first graders. I tried to smile as much as possible for a whole hour. Now I know that sounds easy when you are working with sweet, darling six year olds, but a teacher's day can be much more than just sweet and darling, it is hard work people! But while I was smiling, I made it a point to notice my student's reactions. WOW!! Not only did I get tons of sweet smiles back from them, but I promise, they sat quieter, responded better, and seemed to be happier by just receiving a nice gesture from their teacher. After that hour, I made it a point to try and remind myself to smile more, appear happier, and eventually I felt happier for longer periods throughout my work day. I also feel like I can stay more positive and have a clearer mind during the day if I just smile more often.
I'm only telling you this from experience. It is hard to work all day and then come and tutor in the evening, trust me, I know! But maybe we all just need a little reminder here and there to turn our smiles on for those around us. There is that old saying "smile and the whole world smiles with you". From the moment you step off the elevator, smile. When you greet your student, smile. When you see their beautiful homework completed, smile, and as they are walking to the bus or to their parent, leave them with a smile too.
I think we don't realize what big impression a little smile can make, but towards the end of the year, when excuses become plentiful, and homework starts to dwindle, give your student a reason to want to come back to tutoring next week, even if it is just to see you smile.
If you need more convincing on why smiling is so important, click here
