Hypersensitivity...

[Alex]

Originally Posted by tracilicious

Neither punishment nor rewarding is appropriate in a such a setting.

I once asked why I didn't get a cash reward from my mom for good grades (which I didn't get often since then, like now, I think homework is generally a stupid waste of time designed to make teachers feel like their accomplishing sometihng) like many of my friends did. Her answer was "why would I pay you for what you're supposed to do anyway? Your reward for good grades is not being stupid."

[tracilicious]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

...Your reward for good grades is not being stupid."

Except that the entire grading system is ridiculous and not really an indication of what's been learned anyways. (But yeah, money for grades sort of undermines a natural desire to learn, I think. So do grades.)

Moonliner, that is exactly my point. The mentallity is that either kids are praised for nothing or they are praised only for specific things. What if we take praise out of the equation? What if we simply guide kids and allow their natural desire to learn and succeed take over, helping them when they need us (and no I don't consider praise and criticism help), backing off when they don't? What if we replace, "Good job studying for that test!" with, "What did you find most challenging? Are you happy with your results?" Our judgements need not enter into the conversation.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by tracilicious

Except that the entire grading system is ridiculous and not really an indication of what's been learned anyways. (But yeah, money for grades sort of undermines a natural desire to learn, I think. So do grades.)

Moonliner, that is exactly my point. The mentallity is that either kids are praised for nothing or they are praised only for specific things. What if we take praise out of the equation? What if we simply guide kids and allow their natural desire to learn and succeed take over, helping them when they need us (and no I don't consider praise and criticism help), backing off when they don't? What if we replace, "Good job studying for that test!" with, "What did you find most challenging? Are you happy with your results?" Our judgements need not enter into the conversation.

Except that young kids (pre-teen and younger) crave the praise. Withholding that in favor of responses like "What did you find most challenging" equates in their mind to rejection. I still argue praise for effort. At age two a scribbled crayon mess is cause for praise, age four not so much.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

I once asked why I didn't get a cash reward from my mom for good grades (which I didn't get often since then, like now, I think homework is generally a stupid waste of time designed to make teachers feel like their accomplishing sometihng) like many of my friends did. Her answer was "why would I pay you for what you're supposed to do anyway? Your reward for good grades is not being stupid."

While we don't have a fixed pay scale, we do reward good grades. We tend to treat school like a job. It is their job to go to school just like mom and dad go off to work. Sometimes the job requires you to work late or miss some fun event, sometimes not. If you do a good job you get "paid". For the kids that's the everyday extras in life. Cable TV, Computers, PS2's etc... If you don't do your job you lose those extras (a pay cut). If you do extra work (overtime) you get a bonus. Perhaps a nice lobster dinner, or a new Ferrari.