Can I share a quick tip with you? I’ve found an easy way to increase my speech-language homework return rates, as well as help ensure that notes to parents and teachers go to the right place.
My secret? The power of color!
Now, it may be obvious to some of you, but my favorite color is green. I make a big deal of this when I meet kids for the first time and get to know them. (Side note: A great quick language screening tool I frequently use when kids come into my classroom for the very first time is to say, “Ok, I want you to take a good look all the way around my room. Can you guess what my favorite color is?” Generally, students with more serious language concerns choose the wrong color.) I point out all the items in my room that are green, like my clock, clipboard, plants, and posters. I always make a big deal about choosing the green dry erase marker to use, or the green game piece when we play games.
Now, sure, I like the color green, but my main goal in doing this is to make sure my students associate me, Mrs. Snyders, with the color green. I send home green speech-language homework folders, and I make sure notes to parents are on green copy paper whenever possible. I have found that since I started doing this – rather than using whatever color folders I had left or regular white copy paper – my student/parent return rates have increased significantly! My students will see the green items in their backpack or desk, and quickly associate that item with me. Some even will remind their teachers that anything green needs to go back to me!
Do you think this might work for you? Do you have other tips or tricks to share?
That's such a great idea! I'll have to keep that in mind when I start my school placement. 🙂
-Trina from Look Who's Talking
http://lookwhoslp.blogspot.com
What a great idea. I am going to try this with homework and notes home!
This is such a good idea! Thank you for sharing!
Karen (The Pedi Speechie)
Where do you typically buy your green paper? It is such a vibrant green and would stand out. I love this idea!!
Jenni, I usually buy it at Staples, but Amazon carries it as well!