Motivating Students

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Motivating Students

by KatLeslie

Jan 27, 2011

I am in a teacher education program and just starting my practicums. Today I was helping a child with his reading. He was not taking it very seriously and I said to him, "did you know that the more you practice reading, the better reader you will become? you need to practice so your brain can learn." His response was, "I know but I don't want to because I don't like reading." What would be the best way to handle this situation? Thanks for the advice!

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Sara Beth Witcher On 2/01/11, Jo to Sara - exceptional post! nfm wrote: > On 2/01/11, Sara wrote: >> On 1/27/11, KatLeslie wrote: >>> I am in a teacher education program and just starting my >>> practicums. Today I was helping a child with his reading. >>> He was not taking it very seriously and I said to him, "did >>> yo...See MoreOn 2/01/11, Jo to Sara - exceptional post! nfm wrote: > On 2/01/11, Sara wrote: >> On 1/27/11, KatLeslie wrote: >>> I am in a teacher education program and just starting my >>> practicums. Today I was helping a child with his reading. >>> He was not taking it very seriously and I said to him, "did >>> you know that the more you practice reading, the better >>> reader you will become? you need to practice so your brain >>> can learn." His response was, "I know but I don't want to >>> because I don't like reading." What would be the best way >>> to handle this situation? Thanks for the advice! >> >> >> Most kids who say they don't like reading find reading hard. >> Some kids have flightly attention spans and reading does >> require that we sit fairly still... and focus - and sitting >> still and focusing can be harder for some kids than others. >> Add to that or instead of that there can be decoding issues - >> kids who don't decode well find reading laborious and can >> barely take meaning from it at the semantic level. >> >> Nature did not program us all to be good readers - reading >> comes more naturally to some than others and sadly those kids >> who aren't naturally good readers are often made to feel >> ashamed. When kids say they 'don't like to read', some >> teachers act like the kid has stomped on a kitten or >> something. I've seen teachers grimace when a kid says "I >> don't like to read" and others get a look of positive >> disgust. Neither of those responses helps the reluctant >> reader to like reading.... >> >> Which I can tell you didn't - good for you. That this >> students wasn't 'taking it seriously' is a sign that he >> doesn't read well - they feign disinterest even to themselves >> as a way of saving face. Reading aloud can be positively >> painful for weak readers as it shows so well their weakness. >> Weak readers feel dumb and rarely is it explained to them >> that it's not their fault. We don't blame slow runners for >> not being Olympic track athletes but school often blames the >> slow and weak reader for being so. >> >> Which you didn't do either - good for you. I would have said >> to this kid, "John, I hear you. Not everyone does like to >> read - we all have our different likes and dislikes and >> that's fine. Some teachers will act like you've stomped on a >> kitten when you say you don't like reading (that always makes >> them smile) but it's fine with me. Personally, I don't like >> math (and that's true, I don't) and my math teachers would >> say, "one day you'll feel differently." But you know what, >> John? I still don't like math. >> But I wish I were better at it because some math is helpful >> in life. I avoided it as much as possible and now I need my >> husband's help to do 'math things' and that's not so good. I >> make mistakes in my checking account and that's really not >> good. >> And - here's the thing. Reading is even more important in >> life than in math. I'm not talking about novels or books. I'm >> talking about countless numbers of times that we need to read >> in life. Like when the doctor hands us a brochure about the >> disease we've got and says, "You'd better read this. It says >> it better than I can." Or when we're filing out our taxes - >> first we need to read the instructions before we get to the >> math. Or get our driver's licenses... I'm sorry to tell you >> but that kind of reading is critical in our lives." >> >> "Practicing reading now prepares you for that kind of >> reading - it would be fine with me if you never read again >> but I know, my friend, it's not going to be fine with you. >> There's a LOT of reading in life. >> >> If you could read, John, just 15 minutes every night in a >> book or magazine or even a comic book (!) you would become a >> much stronger reader (stronger is a better word than better) >> and then even if you don't like to read, you'll be more able >> to strongly read the things you will need to read in life. >> I'm only here to try to help you with that." >> >> That's what I say. No guilt, no recrimination and the whole >> truth and nothing but the truth. (they really perk up at the >> idea of needing to read to get their driver's license)

What great advice! We have been learning about ways to encourage students who claim they do not enjoy certain subjects. When they say they don't like something, it is usually just because they do not feel like they do well in that area. I agree that the teacher should focus on encouraging the student by pointing out ways they can improve. I also love the practical implications with the driver's license!

Feb 2, 2011

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Learning the ropes On 1/27/11, KatLeslie wrote: > I am in a teacher education program and just starting my > practicums. Today I was helping a child with his reading. > He was not taking it very seriously and I said to him, "did > you know that the more you practice reading, the better > reader you will become? you need to practice so your brain > c...See MoreOn 1/27/11, KatLeslie wrote: > I am in a teacher education program and just starting my > practicums. Today I was helping a child with his reading. > He was not taking it very seriously and I said to him, "did > you know that the more you practice reading, the better > reader you will become? you need to practice so your brain > can learn." His response was, "I know but I don't want to > because I don't like reading." What would be the best way > to handle this situation? Thanks for the advice!

I have also noticed from my classroom experience, that student motivation is a common barrier to learning. A few things I have found that really help are showing the students how excited you are about what you are trying to teach them and explaining why you think what your teaching is so important in a way they can understand. However, in general I think the best way to motivate students is to learn to relate to their interests on their level. As far as explaining the importance of reading, you could ask the student what he wants to do when he grows up. Then, explain to him how reading will help him in his future job as an astronaught, fireman, etc. You could also ask him if he likes to play video games, and explain that if he wants to be good at them, he will need to be able to read the instructions. Point out how in adventure movies the hero has to read a treasure map, or how in Harry Potter he has to read his spells, these are just some silly examples, but the point is to relate to his interest and explain why reading is important in areas he sees as important. You could also motivate him with a sort of reward system for reading a certain amount of books. As far as trying to motivate him on his level, the content of the book is also very important. If your student is having to read about a subject he doesn't find very interesting, I could see how he would get bored. Maybe if you ask him some of his interests: sports, animals, games, etc. and look for some books about those specific topics he would get excited about reading. This has worked remarkably well for me, particularly with easy reader Disney books, which have pictures in them. Depending on your setting, this much individualized attention may not be possible, but I think trying to relate learning to students' interests as much as possible is really helpful. Just a few thoughts for you...what you told him is right though, that he will enjoy reading more and get better at it the more he practices. If you continue to work with him, my guess is that it will get easier each time. Don't get discouraged :

Feb 5, 2011

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Just getting started I believe that the best way to get a child who is not interested in reading to read, it to make reading fun. As teachers, if we can choose interesting books and show students how entertaining reading can be, I believe we will spark an interest and desire in our students to learn. Also, we must be patient in helping the students learn to read. Readi...See MoreI believe that the best way to get a child who is not interested in reading to read, it to make reading fun. As teachers, if we can choose interesting books and show students how entertaining reading can be, I believe we will spark an interest and desire in our students to learn. Also, we must be patient in helping the students learn to read. Reading is a subject that can be very frustrating until it has been mastered, but by making sure each student is making the proper progress, we can keep the students from being discouraged or feeling like they've failed at this aspect of learning, before they've even really begun.

On 2/05/11, Learning the ropes wrote: > On 1/27/11, KatLeslie wrote: >> I am in a teacher education program and just starting my >> practicums. Today I was helping a child with his reading. >> He was not taking it very seriously and I said to him, "did >> you know that the more you practice reading, the better >> reader you will become? you need to practice so your brain >> can learn." His response was, "I know but I don't want to >> because I don't like reading." What would be the best way >> to handle this situation? Thanks for the advice! > > I have also noticed from my classroom experience, that student > motivation is a common barrier to learning. A few things I > have found that really help are showing the students how > excited you are about what you are trying to teach them and > explaining why you think what your teaching is so important in > a way they can understand. However, in general I think the > best way to motivate students is to learn to relate to their > interests on their level. As far as explaining the importance > of reading, you could ask the student what he wants to do > when he grows up. Then, explain to him how reading will help > him in his future job as an astronaught, fireman, etc. You > could also ask him if he likes to play video games, and > explain that if he wants to be good at them, he will need to > be able to read the instructions. Point out how in adventure > movies the hero has to read a treasure map, or how in Harry > Potter he has to read his spells, these are just some silly > examples, but the point is to relate to his interest and > explain why reading is important in areas he sees as > important. You could also motivate him with a sort of reward > system for reading a certain amount of books. As far as > trying to motivate him on his level, the content of the book > is also very important. If your student is having to read > about a subject he doesn't find very interesting, I could see > how he would get bored. Maybe if you ask him some of his > interests: sports, animals, games, etc. and look for some > books about those specific topics he would get excited about > reading. This has worked remarkably well for me, particularly > with easy reader Disney books, which have pictures in them. > Depending on your setting, this much individualized attention > may not be possible, but I think trying to relate learning to > students' interests as much as possible is really helpful. > Just a few thoughts for you...what you told him is > right though, that he will enjoy reading more and get better > at it the more he practices. If you continue to work with > him, my guess is that it will get easier each time. Don't get > discouraged :

Feb 8, 2011

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DaveAnimal All I can say is to have kids want to be in your classroom by providing an enviornment that lends itself to foster a love of learning. I can't say enough about a program I was introduced to a couple of weeks back. The Positive Engagement Project has been a blessing as far as helping me transform my classroom into a more positive place. I agree with...See MoreAll I can say is to have kids want to be in your classroom by providing an enviornment that lends itself to foster a love of learning. I can't say enough about a program I was introduced to a couple of weeks back. The Positive Engagement Project has been a blessing as far as helping me transform my classroom into a more positive place. I agree with other posters that making learning interesting is key. There are tons of great programs and strategies out there, PEP is just one. Teaching is striving to always do better and look for as many great ideas and techniques as possible. This site, teachers dot net is a great example of what teacher helping teachers is all about.

On 2/08/11, Just getting started wrote: > I believe that the best way to get a child who is not interested > in reading to read, it to make reading fun. As teachers, if we > can choose interesting books and show students how entertaining > reading can be, I believe we will spark an interest and desire > in our students to learn. Also, we must be patient in helping > the students learn to read. Reading is a subject that can be > very frustrating until it has been mastered, but by making sure > each student is making the proper progress, we can keep the > students from being discouraged or feeling like they've failed at > this aspect of learning, before they've even really begun. > > On 2/05/11, Learning the ropes wrote: >> On 1/27/11, KatLeslie wrote: >>> I am in a teacher education program and just starting my >>> practicums. Today I was helping a child with his reading. >>> He was not taking it very seriously and I said to him, "did >>> you know that the more you practice reading, the better >>> reader you will become? you need to practice so your brain >>> can learn." His response was, "I know but I don't want to >>> because I don't like reading." What would be the best way >>> to handle this situation? Thanks for the advice! >> >> I have also noticed from my classroom experience, that student >> motivation is a common barrier to learning. A few things I >> have found that really help are showing the students how >> excited you are about what you are trying to teach them and >> explaining why you think what your teaching is so important in >> a way they can understand. However, in general I think the >> best way to motivate students is to learn to relate to their >> interests on their level. As far as explaining the importance >> of reading, you could ask the student what he wants to do >> when he grows up. Then, explain to him how reading will help >> him in his future job as an astronaught, fireman, etc. You >> could also ask him if he likes to play video games, and >> explain that if he wants to be good at them, he will need to >> be able to read the instructions. Point out how in adventure >> movies the hero has to read a treasure map, or how in Harry >> Potter he has to read his spells, these are just some silly >> examples, but the point is to relate to his interest and >> explain why reading is important in areas he sees as >> important. You could also motivate him with a sort of reward >> system for reading a certain amount of books. As far as >> trying to motivate him on his level, the content of the book >> is also very important. If your student is having to read >> about a subject he doesn't find very interesting, I could see >> how he would get bored. Maybe if you ask him some of his >> interests: sports, animals, games, etc. and look for some >> books about those specific topics he would get excited about >> reading. This has worked remarkably well for me, particularly >> with easy reader Disney books, which have pictures in them. >> Depending on your setting, this much individualized attention >> may not be possible, but I think trying to relate learning to >> students' interests as much as possible is really helpful. >> Just a few thoughts for you...what you told him is >> right though, that he will enjoy reading more and get better >> at it the more he practices. If you continue to work with >> him, my guess is that it will get easier each time. Don't get >> discouraged :

Feb 8, 2011

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Leah Davies You may be interested in the following articles:

Motivating Children; Successful Teachers; Love and Logic Basic.

Just click below and on the title of your choice

Mar 15, 2011

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