One key component of all SpringMath intervention protocols is motivation—the process of setting and checking daily goals. Motivation is the essential fuel for student progress!
Why is this important?
Goal setting helps the students see wins (even small ones) on a regular basis. This immediate feedback loop motivates them to keep trying and keep getting better. By focusing on beating their personal best, students develop an intrinsic desire to improve. They see that they can do it and want to keep getting better.
How does it work?
The teacher directions in Classwide Intervention instruct them to set two goals every day:
- The Class Goal unites students toward a shared, achievable daily target.
- Setting the Goal: The teacher chooses a goal that is within the class's reach; it doesn't have to be the mastery goal immediately.
- Checking the Goal: After students correct the Independent Practice papers, the teacher collects them, shuffles them, and draws one randomly and anonymously out of the stack. If that one paper meets or exceeds the goal you set, the whole class gets to celebrate! (More on that below.)
- Adjusting the Goal:
- Goal met: Increase the goal by 2–4 answers correct for the next day.
- Goal missed: Keep the goal the same for the next day.
- The Student Goal is focused on individual growth and personal achievement.
- Setting the Goal: Students should always know their personal best score for the skill. Each day, they set a goal to beat that best score.
- Tracking the Goal: Utilize the Progress Tracking Sheets in Support.
- Celebrate every student who meets their personal goal each day.
Celebrating Success
What to do when goals are met? Always point out to students that the success is a result of their hard work and focused practice, showing them that effort pays off.
Class rewards might be:
- Small immediate incentives, such as two minutes of free time or a "snowball fight" using that day's practice papers.
- Alternatively, students can work toward a larger, cumulative reward by consistently meeting the daily goal. The teacher will track the class's progress (for instance, with tally marks on the board or marbles in a jar). Once the class reaches the set number of days, they will earn a more significant reward, like a game day or a popcorn party.
Many systems also celebrate class growth across the school. Here’s an idea from Kristen Garcia, Title I Math Specialist and SpringMath Coach at Davis Elementary School in College Place, Washington:
The Dragon’s Math Skill Flames
The concept uses the school mascot (the Davis Dragons) to create a public visual tracker displayed on a main hallway wall.
- Secret Identity: Each participating classroom is assigned a unique dragon cutout displayed on the wall. The students and teacher are the only ones who know which dragon represents their class.
- Achievement Unlocked: When a class successfully achieves mastery of a Classwide Intervention math skill, the teacher emails Ms. Garcia to report the accomplishment.
- The Flame Is Added: Ms. Garcia then updates the Dragon Wall by adding a brilliant "Skill Flame" right next to that class's secret dragon. Every flame signifies a successfully completed math milestone.
According to Ms. Garcia, the display is a huge hit! The sequential addition of flames serves as a powerful, ongoing visual reward for the entire class.
"It has been a fun way to motivate the teachers and students!" says Ms. Garcia.
It fosters a spirit of teamwork and goal setting as students are excited to see their secret dragon accumulate the most flames. This approach is highly adaptable and could easily be implemented in any school looking for a fun, visible way to celebrate academic success!
