Motivational+Ideas

Okay, it sounds too simple to be worth mentioning. But I find that making a point to smile at kids after they answer, or even when I'm reminding them of the rules, makes them more motivated to try.
 * 1. Smiles. **

I was once told by a very smart teacher that the best management plan is a great lesson plan. If your students are engaged, they are less likely to be misbehaving or unmotivated. For me, integrating science and social studies into reading and math is one of the best ways to do this. I LOVE teaching in themes, and I find that my students are so much more motivated when they can see connections between what they are learning!
 * 2. Keep my instruction interesting and my students involved- especially through integration! **

My kids know that I don't expect them to get things right every time. I reward great thinking, not just right answers. (For instance, I might show the class a math journal entry that has a mistake and has the wrong answer, but used a really creative problem-solving strategy.) They have had ingrained into them that clipping down is okay because they can always turn it around. They hear me say- often- that I made a mistake or that I have things I'm still working on, too, so they know that my expectations for achievement are a little different for each individual, even though I always have high expectations for their effort.
 * 3. Let them know that you don't expect perfection. **

If I ask a higher-level thinking question, sometimes I'll have 3 hands up. Then I have them think-pair-share. Suddenly, I have 95% of them talking about the question- and usually, once they've shared with a friend, I'll have at least twice as many feeling confident enough to share in front of the class. Working with friends helps with motivation, too, as long as I'm careful they are working! :)
 * 4. Give them chances to be social. **

When I make a [|math journal] problem, I put in a current student's name and try to make the situation involve an interest. It can be as simple as knowing that a kid likes LEGOs, but it's motivating. I also try to go to their events outside of school occasionally if they invite me (and I'm free), but I realize it'll be a lot harder to do that when I have a family of my own.
 * 5. Get to know your kids. **

 A simple word of encouragement can go a long way. It tells the students that you recognize their hard work and motivates them to keep striving to do their best.
 * 6. Words of encouragement. **


 * 7. Positive Notes to the Parents. **

Make sure that the notes to the parents aren’t all negative, emphasize the positive aspects of what the student did as well. Telling parents what a good job their students are doing can often make students feel very proud of themselves and can serve as a great reward. This will motivate them to try the good things again even if they do them in a different way the next time around.

Have each student set their own learning goal that they can work towards. This can be an integral part of getting them motivated to work, so ensure that each student has a goal to work towards that reflects his or her own abilities and talents. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">8. Goal Setting. **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">When students feel they are an active part of the classroom and that they have responsibilities it gives them the sense that they matter. Students with more confidence and self-esteem may feel more motivated to learn and be more successful. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">9. Student Responsibilities. **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">If a student has done a good job try to recognize it through special notes to the students. This can motivate all the students to try hard in the future. *Make sure every student gets recognized for something, leaving a student out can demotivate them.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">10. Notes to the students. **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">

A great motivational saying to post as a quote of the day. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">