What are some of the best ways to motivate your students/class?

Answer 1

Challenge and recognition.

Everyone wants (craves) recognition - even just a thank you, well done (name). In fact saying thanks is the first step to motivating anyone - to hear a sincere thanks/congratulations is like a drug - even if it's for someone else!

No matter what subject, age or background - students (and people) respond best to being valued and feeling important or needed.

Combining this positive recognition with interactive learning tasks (group projects, games, competitions, etc... check www.eteach.com or other sites for ideas) is one of the best ways to not just motivate but also MAINTAIN motivation.

Remember though - motivation rarely happens overnight - each thank you is just one step forward. The final ingredient is patience (with yourself!).

Answer 2

It is hard to motivate students. You need to find an actitivity that all students can enjoy. Art is one way to help. Music can also help. Be creative. As a student in High School it is hard to be motivated but teachers have different techniques. Just try different styles of teaching and see which one gives the best results.

Answer 3

Be down to earth with your students! Realize they're people too. If they're unmotivated they're either bored and need a challenge, or are not confident they can make the grade. So focus on each student alone and find out what kind of attention they need.
Also, if they're not making a good grade on assignments, it's best to have an upfront talk to them about it and explain that you won't accept those kinds of grades anymore, because with a little effort they can do much better.

That worked with me. I just ended up feeling bad for not doing my best and made sure everything after that made an A.

Answer 4

Use a teaching tool that resonates with them, depending on the age level of course. If they are past middle grades, then music is almost universally appealing. Play the song "We Didn't Start The Fire" - by Billy Joel. Ask the students what the song refers to, then use the link below to start research projects for history, current events, biographys, book reports, comparative studies, etc..

Answer 5

My class is motivated often by food (candy usually -- go for the sugar free, they will never know and it still tastes great)! I also see their eyes light up with the chance to do something hands on, like drama or even basic crafts.

I teach preschool, but have taught high school level before. For HS, try the food idea too! :-)

Answer 6

Get them working together toward a common goal. Not necessarily a reward, but something that they'll be proud of when it's finished. For example, instead of just studying homelessness/ poverty, take them on a field trip to a shelter and have them spend the afternoon volunteering, then when you get back to the classroom, encourage them to find a way to continue to help, as a class.

Answer 7

The student receives a grid with boxes on it like a bingo board. When you ( teacher) catch them doing the correct behavior then u put a stamp on their sheet if they have a specific number (that you make up). Then on Friday those students can have lunch with you in the classroom and you put on a movie for them

Answer 8

Well, it would depend on the age of the children. If you're talking about high school students, then I would suggest that you should talk to them about the importance of getting an education and how it would help them in college.

Answer 9

Try being interesting. My favorite teachers had great personalities and let us get to know them by telling us side stories about their lives that related to the topic. If you build relationships with your students they will want to work harder for you and commit more to the class.

Answer 10

let them become more involved in the teaching also....teaching and learning at the same time. also group projects are motivational and a people learning experience about their other classmates as individuals. but remember, YOU put together the groups, don't let them pick their OWN running buddies to group up with.