At our last staff meeting, we had the opportunity to read an article by Carol Ann Tomlinson about an issue that oftentimes is a source of frustration for educators...Student Motivation. The article focused on what we, as educators, can do for our students when we are confronted with a student that seems not interested in learning what we have planned for them to learn. Below are some thoughts and highlights from the article. Feel free to share your thoughts, strategies that have worked for you, or any other thoughts from your experience in the Comments.
Here are some things I thought were good takeaways from the article.
"The teacher is key to student motivation. We have immense power to unleash - or diminish - a young person's desire to learn. There's so much we can do in either direction." As adults in the building we help shape "The Personal Sphere". Do I believe in this student's ability to do well? Am I communicating this in words and body language? What am I doing to know this child better today than I did yesterday? These are helpful reflection questions as we think about students that are oftentimes unmotivated to learn. Sometimes students frustrate us, and it is difficult to take a step back and reflect in the moment. Thinking of these questions ahead of time and planning our reaction can be helpful.
In terms of "The Academic Sphere", a question to consider, "Do I tap the power of this content to inspire learning?" Some ways to bring the material to life for the student: "beginning with questions rather than answers and showing students the links between what I teach and their lives."
By working in a school, with students, every day, we have the opportunity to have a huge impact on the life of a kid. Sometimes, it just takes one teacher to show an interest in a student. When we refuse to give up on a kid, we can send a life-changing message. Or when we approach a reluctant learner as if he/she is a dreamer who just needs a little help shaping that dream. The tough part in this whole scenario, is that we may not know our impact until years later, if at all...
“We have the collective belief, language, and actions that we will positively affect every student in our school. We make the difference for the kids!”
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Student Motivation
At our last staff meeting, we had the opportunity to read an article by Carol Ann Tomlinson about an issue that oftentimes is a source of frustration for educators...Student Motivation. The article focused on what we, as educators, can do for our students when we are confronted with a student that seems not interested in learning what we have planned for them to learn. Below are some thoughts and highlights from the article. Feel free to share your thoughts, strategies that have worked for you, or any other thoughts from your experience in the Comments.
Here are some things I thought were good takeaways from the article.
"The teacher is key to student motivation. We have immense power to unleash - or diminish - a young person's desire to learn. There's so much we can do in either direction." As adults in the building we help shape "The Personal Sphere". Do I believe in this student's ability to do well? Am I communicating this in words and body language? What am I doing to know this child better today than I did yesterday? These are helpful reflection questions as we think about students that are oftentimes unmotivated to learn. Sometimes students frustrate us, and it is difficult to take a step back and reflect in the moment. Thinking of these questions ahead of time and planning our reaction can be helpful.
In terms of "The Academic Sphere", a question to consider, "Do I tap the power of this content to inspire learning?" Some ways to bring the material to life for the student: "beginning with questions rather than answers and showing students the links between what I teach and their lives."
By working in a school, with students, every day, we have the opportunity to have a huge impact on the life of a kid. Sometimes, it just takes one teacher to show an interest in a student. When we refuse to give up on a kid, we can send a life-changing message. Or when we approach a reluctant learner as if he/she is a dreamer who just needs a little help shaping that dream. The tough part in this whole scenario, is that we may not know our impact until years later, if at all...
Here are some things I thought were good takeaways from the article.
"The teacher is key to student motivation. We have immense power to unleash - or diminish - a young person's desire to learn. There's so much we can do in either direction." As adults in the building we help shape "The Personal Sphere". Do I believe in this student's ability to do well? Am I communicating this in words and body language? What am I doing to know this child better today than I did yesterday? These are helpful reflection questions as we think about students that are oftentimes unmotivated to learn. Sometimes students frustrate us, and it is difficult to take a step back and reflect in the moment. Thinking of these questions ahead of time and planning our reaction can be helpful.
In terms of "The Academic Sphere", a question to consider, "Do I tap the power of this content to inspire learning?" Some ways to bring the material to life for the student: "beginning with questions rather than answers and showing students the links between what I teach and their lives."
By working in a school, with students, every day, we have the opportunity to have a huge impact on the life of a kid. Sometimes, it just takes one teacher to show an interest in a student. When we refuse to give up on a kid, we can send a life-changing message. Or when we approach a reluctant learner as if he/she is a dreamer who just needs a little help shaping that dream. The tough part in this whole scenario, is that we may not know our impact until years later, if at all...
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