Balancing act

One of the things that I have noticed with our time in the field, is how hard it is to give all the students the right amount of attention. My class has a handful of students that are right at or above average for where they should currently be academically. Likewise, there are a few that are considerably behind both academically and behaviorally. It isn't that the above average kids don't get any attention but the below average group gets far more praise and recognition. My school does the bucket filler slips and they get awarded for good behavior or doing something nice etc. Of course the above average group could get a couple of these slips a day because in general their behavior is great. However, what I have seen happening and even found myself doing is leaning more toward giving them out to the below average group to help boost their self esteem and to encourage more good behavior. It is so important to try and build up the kids that are behind just not at the expense of the other kids in the class. A balancing act that I will be much more aware of when I am teaching in the future.