Keys to Increase Student Motivation

Do you have that one student that is unmotivated by anything?  You have tried everything you know to try, but nothing seems to work.  I have been there, and it is very frustrating I know.  Here are a few strategies that I have tried with great success.  Remember if one strategy does not work, keep trying.  All students are different you just have to find the right one that motivates that student.

1.  Take an interest in each student.  I have said it before but I think it is vitally important to each students' perception of you.  Take time to just have a conversation with each student (not about academics).  One of the teachers in my building used to write letters back and forth to her students.  On Fridays, each student would write a letter in a notebook telling her about whatever they wanted to.  She would respond back to them and have it ready by Monday or Tuesday.  This is a great way to learn about each one of your students and also gives them practice in letter writing!  Her students loved getting their notebooks back and reading the message that their teacher had left them.

2.  Find their passion.  Do they love football?  Nascar?  Unicorns?  Incorporate those into your lessons and assignments when you can.  This will motivate them to do the assignment because it is about something they are interested in.

3.  Give choices.  A man from my local boys ranch told me that he always gives choices about tasks to do.  Most of the boys that he has are defiant and do not want to do anything that is asked of them.  If you say, you can write this assignment on paper or type it on the computer, they can have a choice and they can't just say no.  Most students like to have that little bit of control over their assignments.

4.  Be flexible.  Fair is not always the same.  If you need to let one student type instead of write an assignment, that is ok.  The goal is to do the assignment right?

5.  Make sure they succeed at something.  It is very unmotivating for students to feel like everything they do is wrong, especially the older they get.  Give the student something that is slightly less challenging(something you know they can do)than what the other students are doing.  Be careful not to make it too obvious!  You don't want them to think you are giving them "baby" work.  Also, don't give false praise and say that something is wonderful when it really isn't.  They will see right through you!

These are 5 strategies that I use in my classroom that are successful with most students.  Just remember to never give up on a child.  You may be the only person that cares for and wants to help him or her.  It may take time, but it will be worth the effort!