It was sweet, no doubt about it.  Yesterday morning, my classroom was open for any student who wanted to come in and study for the upcoming state test. If it were up to me, there wouldn't be this feeling that students needed to study for this 65 question guessing game in order to be placed in next year's classes.  At the end of the year, we would just hand the next grade level the students' portfolios of creations and let those determine the placement of each student.  But, because we're in this pressured testing environment that we are, kids care about the test more than they should and I want them to feel supported in their endeavors.

To support the kids who wanted to have that extra chance for review, I took a page out of @CoffeCue's playbook and spin it to meet the needs of kids.  Why not have a cup of coffee with kids instead of adults?

I don't give out candy, have stopped giving out extra credit and homework passes, and have never rewarded students with extra bathroom passes.  As someone who believes in intrinsic motivation, these don't appeal to me as a professional.  There's nothing wrong with those, but it's just not my style.

My first year of teaching in the Coachella Valley, I realized that these kids have never been to a professional sporting event.  Not only do we live in a low income area, but we live at least 2 hours away from the closest major sports team.  Determined to give my students something real to strive for, I took them to a Lakers game.  What happened was more than just a game.  

We saw the Staples Center and the excitement began.  Boys came to the front to take pictures, girls went to the back to do their makeup, and I just smiled.

The game didn't even need to get played.  We must've only watched 15 minutes of it.  They wanted to see the pro shop, take pictures next to Kobe cardboard cutouts, walk around the stadium, and experience the experience.  Immediately, I knew that I had something.  So, ever since then, I've taken a group of deserving students to a major sports event (aside from the years that my wife and I had our kids) and they've been the best memories of the year.

This post is not only a way for me to reflect on this year's trip, but also a blueprint of how to do something similar for your students if you've ever thought of it. Feel free to comment at the end of this or hunt me down on Twitter if you want specifics for your trip.