Of course, when presented this question, we all know that positive is the correct answer. So, are we sure that our positive responses outnumber our negative responses? Randy Sprick warns us to develop a high ratio of positive interactions with our students to increase motivation and reducing misbehaviors. He describes the opposite as The Criticism Trap. It’s easy to fall into this trap. Student misbehaviors receive negative attention, and for some students, negative attention is better than no attention.

Randy Sprick offers several suggestions to assist educators to avoid The Criticism Trap. I challenge you to try two. The first is simply keeping track of your responses. He offers a template to use, but one that works for you would be simple to create. He also recommends three positive responses for every negative response.

Another suggestion is best described by a Ted Talk by Melissa Root on Video Self Monitoring. This amounts to record yourself. Then analyze the recording with your responses. Are you helping students succeed by presenting a positive role model? Dale Carnegie says that hearing your own name is a very powerful and positive interaction. I’d like hear positive responses and interactions begin each students’ day. Try it and see if it makes a difference with student behaviors. Also, please view the following link to Melissa Root’s Video Self Monitoring Tedx Talk.