5 Ways to Shift Your Mindset
Why is Reading Boring?
How many times have you heard your students say this is boring? Guess what? My son said it every single day of his kindergarten year. He hated school and it wasn’t because he didn’t have an amazing teacher. He did. He was just that kid that thought if he wasn’t having fun, it was a waste of his time.
As a mom and a teacher, this is sad. I don’t care where you are on your teaching journey, you don’t want your students to think school is boring? Ya feel me?
I mean think about it. Is there anything more beautiful than the sound of laughter while learning to read at the same time?
So how do we shift their mindset? How can we make students feel like learning to read is not a waste of time?
I have compiled a list of mindset shifts that will help your students love to read. You can click below to snag them for free!
It’s funny how just changing the way we present things to our kiddos can make all the difference.
For example- Learning letter names and sounds is a crucial step in learning how to read. Once students understand, let letters have sounds attached to them and those sounds make up words….they are ready to start putting the pieces together!
Back when my kiddos were younger, I created this silly game to help my Caleb and Nora learn their letter names. We called it an alphabet stomp. I used sidewalk chalk to write letters on the sidewalk. I would call out a letter and they would have to run to that letter and stomp on it. Let me tell you, the giggle was real.
As I was falling asleep that night (because our teacher brains never really turn off) I thought...wait a minute, if I can shift my mindset just a little bit, I can really help make a difference for the students in my class. I started brainstorming ways to take ordinary tasks and make them fun. I then compiled a list of phrases that I always catch myself saying and added a little flair. I like to call it my “Shift the Mindset Reference Sheet” it sounds better than the “Stop Being Boring as Heck Sheet” and you can download it here.
Shifting your mindset goes something like this.
Instead of…
“Let’s open our books”
Try…
“Let’s explore this amazing new book”
Instead of…
“Point to each word as you read”
Try…
“Get out your magic reading fingers and touch each word as you read”
Instead of…
“Find the short a words on this page”
Try…
“Detectives—Get you those spy glasses! Our mission is to find as many short words as we can in one minute!”
Instead of…
“Please reread pages 1-3”
Try…
Very dramatically clearing your throat and saying “Attention readers, please read pages 1-3 in your best secret mission voice.”
Instead of…
“Sound out these words”
Try…
“Grab those decoding glasses, it’s time to attack those tricky words.”
Taking the time to really think about what we are saying and how we are saying it could really change the outcome of a lesson and adding a few fun props will only enhance it! I hope that you found these tips helpful! If you would like these phrases as a quick reference in your small group, click below to download them for free.