Stars of the week...

[intheaviary]

my dd has just started reception so this stars of the week malarkey is all new to me.
Is it a common thing in schools? Do people feel it’s helpful?

They have 3 stars of the week in each class - one for reading, one for writing and one for general behaviour.

I noticed this week that the same child was chosen for ‘writing’ star of the week for the second week running. My dd picked up on this and she was really disheartened yesterday, saying she had tried really hard with writing her words and asking why the same child had got it twice (the children get up in assembly for a certificate).

I didn’t really know what to say as I agree! Not saying my dd should have got it, but I am sure there are other children that are also trying hard. In the end I just said there are lots of weeks to go and I was very proud of how hard she is trying etc etc

Obviously I am not going to be THAT parent and say anything, and I am fully prepared to be told to get a grip by more experienced school parents 😆 but...

YABU - it really doesn’t matter
YANBU - teacher should have chosen a different child

I hate star of the week, I think behavioural models like this are outdated and teaching practices should be more informed by attachment and nurture.

You could point out to your child that 'star of the week' is a completely meaningless and valueless award. She can't eat it, spend it or put it in her bank account.

Towards the end of one year DD got in for her "work on rhythm in African Drumming".

Is that really the best they could come up with? She worked so hard constantly...

Done well it can really boost kids. But unfortunately the children that are overlooked and don't stand out in any way can become very disheartened.

It should be personal to the child , a positive to acknowledge they 'shine' at something
So there shouldn't be one specifically for English or reading
If its done properly its really good

My grandchild's primary school has introduced weekly 'Has been good at' cards - every child gets one weekly with an individual comment on what they have achieved/tried hard at. Classes are all 28/30 children so I think the teachers are stars too!
They also introduced a reading incentive scheme last year - children get to choose a book to keep when they have read 10/20/30/50 & 100 times at home. School is in a deprived area and for many children these are the first books they have owned.

And repeat this every single year until they reach secondary and see it for the rubbish that it truly is.

DD1 is in Y10 and currently very excited because her new GCSE English teacher is giving out stickers like they are at primary. She says it's even better because most teachers don't do it!

So much research now to show this sort of reward is a pile of shit. Either the same kids get it every week and it's disheartening for everyone else, or it's just done on rotation, all the kids work out they will all get it at least once, and then it's completely meaningless and requires no effort to get the 'award'.

I don't like these types of award at all! When I was in primary school I got it 12 times one year and I was sure other kids never got it and felt awful and embarrassed! We were ranked academically and sat on tables to show this and everyone on my table had at least 5 of these (we stuck them on the front of our jotters). This was in the early 90s in a normal state primary (working class area). It must have been so disheartening for the kids on the other tables. I even mentioned it to the teacher and then got another award. I'd really prefer they didn't do these awards at all, it's not a great feeling to win too many/never win/feel like everyone wins and it doesn't matter.

Yes and this was my first thought when I saw it. Which is why I asked if it is a common thing.
It does seem very rigid and quite outdated.

I may just do my own ‘award’ on a Friday for something she has done well in the week. And play down the school one. It’s a hard balance though isn’t it? As I don’t want to frame it as meaningless if she actually wins one!

Don’t worry, it takes about until half term usually for the kids to work out that everyone gets it eventually. At which point it’s devalued and no-one cares.

I never ever ever got star of the week or similar when I was in school. I was the bright child that loved learning and school, my teachers said I was fab to teach etc and my behaviour was good. I never got into trouble or had a bad report (total swot at high school too!!).

It always went to the most improved / naughty kid that hadn't hit anyone that week. Tbh it used to absolutely upset me as a child, until I got to late primary school and my mum used to explain that it was to give other children a bit of motivation and reward their good behaviour. It sucks tbh! I'm never even sure it helps the naughty kids and in my memories they were all still little sh*to the rest of the time anyway 😂

My DC in reception & I've just clocked, via the school app, they're doing star awards too. The teacher seems to have given a few to entire class to start off with ... but I too am miffed. Don't like it on a visceral level. Can't be good for children really, IMO.

It doesn't really matter if the same kid gets it twice. They soon learn how these certificates work.

But I think it's pretty lazy that they couldn't look beyond the one who won the week before because I'm sure at that age most of them are trying really hard and are enthusiastic at the very least!

I woke in education and I purposely look at kids who's name don't automatically pop into my head. They are unusually the middle of the road kids who actually need the most recognition to keep them engaged.

I may just do my own ‘award’ on a Friday for something she has done well in the week. And play down the school one. It’s a hard balance though isn’t it? As I don’t want to frame it as meaningless if she actually wins one!

Love this

But even as someone who works in education can I suggest it's something like an independence skill or kindness or anything that makes her a worthwhile human being.

Someone has to be top or bottom academically and in many cases all the hard work in the world on their education doesn't alter this (many naturally academically able children can get away with coasting!)

Interesting to read these! Thank you.

May have to put my case forward in the next (anonymous😆) parent survey

@itsgettingweird thank you! Yes that what I was thinking, something more ‘personality’ focused