Motivating Students

 

The following has been modified from a day camp setting in order to work in a classroom setting.

 

Paying close attention to the little things we do in our classrooms provides an extra special sense of purpose in our goals and increased level of quality of our teaching.  This approach to program delivery creates tradition.  

Creating traditions helps to keep the school year memorable for students and increases retention of knowledge by students, especially younger students.   Children cling to positive experiences and often never forget the traditions that are presented.  

 

The “little things” that are referred to when we create tradition, are the bits of extra special activities that make our environments unique.

 

Immediate: Traditions can serve as Classroom Management techniques.   Classroom routines help teachers establish control and structure.   For example – the whistle, the conch, the trip wrist band (or T-Shirt), the classroom cheer, etc.

 

Future: Traditions also serves as cues “that take you back.”  They enable you to make the class a part of you, a memory, an experience you will never forget.

 

Simple Programming ideas

 

Basketball Toss and Cheer: periodically have a child perform a skill in front of some peers such as shoot a basketball to the basket.   The key is that you condition peers to cheer after the shot no matter what the out the outcome is.  See how many consecutive baskets the class can get.  The number of baskets is secondary here, it is the team spirit that is important.  See how students motivate themselves to obtain a record.

 

Bus Driver Salute:   during field trips, don’t just get off the bus, salute the driver in your own special way!

 

Cheer Before Meals: to signify thankfulness for food (much like grace) or simply to earn lunch status.

 

Classroom Colours: Create banners and flags that identify your classroom theme for the year or the unit you are currently teaching.

 

Collection Box: choose an article that is easy for children to collect or bring in.  This object they bring in will be apart of a camp wide collection to create the largest craft ever.   For example – buttons.   Every button brought in represents a student – All buttons are assembled to make a large craft.

 

Dexterity Check:  a group cheer that promotes group harmony and team spirit.

 

Elbows on the Table: a mealtime game best done with older children and even staff.  Students will try this at home with their families.   Anyone caught eating with their elbows on the table must do something in front of the group.

 

Morning Circle Routines: a consistent meeting spot or routine for arrival increases comfort levels in some children as well as create a helpful environment for your classroom.  

 

Parent’s Night (or School Performance): make parents and families a part of tradition.   Mr. & Mrs. Smith will never forget their child’s performance from school.   Parent participation will also have an affect on the child’s impression of school life.

 

Pizza Lunch: it’s amazing how children can’t seem to wait for those “buy your lunch days.”

 

Photo Album and Autograph Session: allow children to take concrete visual memories also.

 

Registration Question: when handing out a parental questionnaire at the beginning of the school year (i.e. for emergency information) ask what the child’s favourite colour, animal, hobby, etc. is and have something prepared for the student when  they arrive on the first day or the next day.     Students are so impressed that you want to know this information already, and the suspense is a bonus.

 

Room or Spot Identification: give the different rooms or locations at school a name.  Instead of a gymnasium call it something unique.   Have the children help you name it.

 

Special Classroom Song – Classroom Theme: a song representing classroom history or philosophy.

 

Special T-Shirts or Hats: provides a class identity.  Have your students where them on field trips so they are easy to keep track of which student is where.    Tye Dying shirts is an inexpensive way of completing this task.   Tye Dye and white T-shirts can be purchased at your local craft (e.g. Michael’s, etc.) and/or discount store (e.g. Wal-Mart, etc.).

 

The Conch: an effective way of maintaining order in the classroom.  When raised by the teacher children must listen.   

 

 

Back to Teacher’s Resources