Motivate
Your Students and Don’t Forget to Motivate Yourself
Theresa London Cooper
Recommended
Book: 501 Tips for Teachers by Robert
D. Ramsey, Ed.D.
Minimize ‘downtime’ in the classroom. Strive to
have worthwhile learning activities going on every minute. Students
attend more regularly when they are afraid they will miss out on
something important.
Robert D. Ramsey, Ed.D.
As we approach
the end of what I hope has been a successful school year, I would
like to leave you with several tips that will motivate your students
to continue to learn, support your desire to energize your classroom,
and complete the school year on a positive note.
I cannot say
enough about the importance of maintaining procedures and routines
in the last two months of school. Teachers are tired. Students are
tired. It is easy to forgo the procedures, which have helped focus
you and the students to maintain a learning environment. Don’t
do it. You will regret it. Of course change in some of the routines
is helpful, but it must be planned and it must serve an instructional
purpose. Motivation is the underlying principle. So, how does a
teacher maintain motivation in the waning days of the school year?
-
Plan several
trips that will reinforce the learning that took place during
the school year. I can fondly recall how I carefully planned
several trips during this time of year that related to many
of the concepts and ideas we studied in class. As my students
attended each trip, I was thrilled to observe the connections
they made and they were just as excited when they discovered
how much they knew about the many topics we discussed during
the school year. They often declared, “I remember when
we studied…” or “We learned about this during
science...”
-
Engage students
in projects that will incorporate their particular learning
styles. Take pictures. Students love having their pictures taken.
Help students create a display for the entire school to see.
Give them opportunities to make invitations inviting family
and friends to partake in their culminating activities.
-
Team up
with several colleagues and organize a field trip to allow the
students to run, jump, and play. Play is a great way to energize
students--and provide them with an appropriate channel to release
their energy--especially at this time of year. I find field
trips will often make students more receptive to being in the
class on other sun-filled days. It gives them something to look
forward to as they refine their understanding of sportsmanship,
teamwork, and community.
-
Speak to
the Parent Coordinator and PA President in your school to assist
you in preparing a Family Literacy/Math Night. We give one annually
in my school. The parents and the children love it. Teachers
create several different stations with practical activities
that parents and children can duplicate at home. Students come
to class and talk about what a great time they had. Parents
talk about what they learned and how much fun they had during
morning line up.
-
Ask the
students for ideas about the kinds of things they like to do.
As teachers we sometimes forget to ask students what they think
about how they learn and what they like. They give helpful suggestions
that bring exciting and engaging experiences to the classroom.
-
Always remember
to take care of yourself. Over the years, I have learned how
important it is to get the appropriate amount of rest, exercise
regularly, maintain a healthy diet and spend time with loved
ones doing something fun. There is no way you can have the energy
you need to think, plan, and enjoy teaching your students if
you deny yourself these four conditions on a regular basis.
I hope these
suggestions will support your efforts in making your students’
school year a memorable learning experience. Below is a brief list
of trips that my classes, my friends and I have enjoyed over the
years. Take a trip and let me know what you and your students think.
Brooklyn
The Brooklyn
Children’s Museum |
718 735-4400 |
The Brooklyn
Museum |
718 638-5000 |
Prospect
Park/Wildlife Center |
718 965-8951
718 399-7339 |
The New
York Aquarium |
718 562-4735 |
Queens
Green
Meadows Farm |
718
470-0224 |
The Hall
of Science |
718 699
-0005 |
Manhattan
Carnegie
Hall |
212 903-9629 |
The Cloisters |
212 923-3700 |
The Metropolitan
Museum of Art |
212 288-7733 |
The Hayden
Planetarium |
212 769-5920 |
The New
Victory Theater |
646-233-3020 |
Staten
Island
Staten
Island Zoo |
718
442-3100 |
The
Bronx
The
Bronx Zoo and Wildlife Conservation Park |
718
367-1010 |
Do you have a comment or question about this
article? E-mail
Theresa.
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