Copyright Š 1996 by Solution Tree (formerly National Educational Service) 304 West Kirkwood Avenue Bloomington, IN 47404 (812) 336-7700 (800) 733-6786 (toll free) FAX: (812) 336-7790 email: info@solution-tree.com www.solution-tree.com
Materials appearing here are copyrighted. With one exception, all rights are reserved. Readers may reproduce only the student worksheets, posters, and awards. Otherwise, no part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission from the publisher.
Cover design by Grannan Graphic Design, Ltd. Text design by Joyce Vario and Laura Wiggins Illustrations by Jane Yamada
ISBN: 978-1-932127-72-0
Motivating Today’s Learner As a teacher, you know the joy of working with students who are eager to learn. The electric energy that accompanies new discoveries and the quiet excitement that comes with deeper insight inspire professional growth. However, this isn’t always the case. Though students today bring with them a richness in diversity and a tremendous potential for learning, their intellect, capabilities and talents are not always actualized. Many students seem to lack motivation. And, when students aren’t motivated, it is difficult for teachers to stay motivated. But motivation doesn’t have to be a constant struggle. Research shows that there are effective strategies teachers can use with those students who are already eager to learn; those who tend to disappear because they are shy, quiet, or reluctant; and those who tend to escape learning through disruptive behavior. These strategies will help you enhance motivation and raise achievement, as students discover that learning can be a meaningful and enjoyable lifelong process.
Teacher’s Plan Book Plus #5 There are many approaches to increasing motivation. In Teacher’s Plan Book Plus #5, the beginning pages will help you think about two key areas—the components of quality instructional strategies and the importance of equitable delivery. We’ll look at what it means to engage all students, how to establish supportive learning environments, and ways you can expand involvement, homework, and feedback strategies. You’ll also find a three-year calendar, pages to note ideas that you want to use again, a Positive Parent Communication Log, checklists, charts, a long-range planner and other valuable tips and innovative ideas. Each weekly planning page offers a motivating idea to get students involved and excited. (For an overview, take a look at The Yearat-a-Glance on page 17, which lists the titles of ideas given for each week.) With Teacher’s Plan Book Plus #5, you and all of your students will feel more motivated—to participate, to learn, and to grow.
Table of Contents Motivating Students Through Quality and Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4 Key Ways to Influence Motivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1. Establish a Supportive Learning Environment The Importance of Gender Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Language Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Proximity Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Getting to Know Students’ Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2. Engage All Students in the Learning Process Presentation Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Anticipatory Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Questioning Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Observation Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Involvement Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Homework Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 3. Provide Students Feedback on Their Academic Performance Performance Feedback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 4. Recognize Students for Their Effort and Achievement Positive Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Positive Notes to Parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 The Year-at-a-Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Weekly Lesson Plan Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Long-Range Planner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Postive Parent Communication Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Birthday List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Ideas to Use Again . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Student Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
NAME:
WEEK BEGINNING:
SUBJECT:
M
Communicate with students on a personal level.
W
T
F
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Š 1996 by Solution Tree. All rights reserved.
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NOTES:
Using Facial Expressions
Effective presentations are critical in motivating students. And, nonverbal presentation skills can be powerful tools. In fact, research states that when verbal and nonverbal messages disagree, people are inclined to believe the nonverbal. Facial expressions are an important form of nonverbal communication. Are you conscious of the facial expressions you use and the ways they add meaning to your words? When facial expressions are animated, students enjoy listening, become more involved, and communicate their energy back to you.
• A “stone” face—one with absolutely no expression at all—may send the message “I’m in charge,” but it’s certainly not engaging. • As you speak, think about creating sideways or horizontal facial wrinkles, such as raising your eyebrows and smiling. It may sound a little corny but these movements create a look that is inviting and communicates an openness to what students have to say.
Target five parents to phone this week.
© 1996 by Solution Tree. All rights reserved.
Remember:
This week, focus on using facial expressions. Practice the two different modes of facial expression—a stone face, and an animated one. Then try reading a passage, or poem each way, and note students’ reactions. Point out to them how much more motivating and interesting communication is when using animated expressions. Now that you’ve made students aware, don’t forget to enliven your presentations in this way all year long. Before long you’ll see improvement in their expressions too.
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