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Post by thomast02 on May 13, 2008 19:45:49 GMT -5
I know this is the question that a lot of teachers have: "How do you motivate the unmotivated?" I have several students who are just not motivated to do their best. I have tried several things, for example, buying lunch for the student if they can complete a week's worth of homework, gift cards. No, I'm not a rich teacher. I see the potential but the student just doesn't care. I complement him for the smallest things. The other students think I am crazy, but I say if it works, I'm willing to try. I don't want to give up, but I am getting very frustrated. ??? I've tried talking to the parents, but they have given up and I think this is what the student sees.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
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Post by Christopher Johnson on May 14, 2008 9:47:36 GMT -5
Availability attracts the attention of students. I am not a teacher but as a recent graduate, I always appreciated the availability of teachers. Being available by giving a student that needs help your cell. When they work on their homework, if a question pops up, all they have to do is pick up a phone. So many teachers just expect students to use the book to answer their questions for homework. So what happens if they don't get it? They lose points for not getting the answers right. I think availability is key.
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Post by princesske1sha on May 14, 2008 16:08:07 GMT -5
During my student teaching, I learned a few of techniques that seemed to work for my Master Teacher. She kept a tin can with Popsicle stick and she gave the students teacher like responsibilities. So when there was something to be done, such as reading the roll, lining up the students for recess, she would even have some of troubled students teach the math lesson for the day (with her help of course). But it was always a step up from the regular golden star.
Something else that was extra special, were her Personal Pizza Parties! She would pick 2 or 3 students, as a reward, and invite them to have lunch with her, sometimes in the teachers lounge. She would get more one on one time with them and she got the opportunity to get to know them better. A less expensive way to do it would be to have them bring their own lunch and give them an extra treat. I think store bought cupcakes would work great.
This way, I think you can single out those students without them feeling singled out, which may be the reason they continue to act out.
Maybe even finding out something about the student may trigger an idea. My Master Teacher had a few students that acted out regularly. One in particular, Cody, was awful!!! She found out during one of her pizza party's that Cody wanted to be a police office when he grew up. The teacher contacted the local police department and had an officer come and pull him out of class to give him the motivation that he needed. That same officer came to visit a few times during the year and served as a constant reminder to Cody, that he needed to do well in school in order to reach his goal. GOOD Male role models are lacking in so many homes. Having a father being there isn't always enough, and could be the cause of your students acting out.
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Post by chughes14 on May 15, 2008 10:12:43 GMT -5
Maybe the kid needs a friend, a basketball game after school or chess, or whatever his interests are may help. It would probably take a few tries to break the ice and get past that initial awkward phase but it may be worth it in the end. High school was hard for me socially because there weren't many students that I had much in common with. I ditched a lot and after doing this for awhile I developed a friendship with a teacher that actually helped me to persevere and apply myself. I just needed some understanding!
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Post by chughes14 on May 15, 2008 10:14:22 GMT -5
and again, it would take time, you know trust doesn't come readily between an adolescent and an adult- a teacher at that!
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