Motivating/ Encouraging Reluctant Learners

1. Motivating/ Encouraging Reluctant Learners Jennifer Wagner projectsbyjen@gmail.com

2. "You cannot teach people anything. You can only help them discover it within themselves." ~Galileo

3. Capture TheirAttention Get the students involved as soon as they enter the class Use meaningful subject-oriented activities or get right into lesson By engaging students right away will be easier to keep them focused for the lesson. Do not distract by being vague of what is coming next Call students by name

4. Use Your Full Class Period Plan for your full class time, over plan Stay relevant, stay concise, stay on task Last thought as they close the book, leave the classroom, move on to next activity MUST be what was just shared. Be attentive, alert, and aware of distracters

5. Use Games, Puzzles, Online Activities Puzzles Old Games – new ideas Use cartoons as story starters

6. Student Must Feel Worth Student of the month Know their name and at least one personal trait Eliminate the red pencil for reluctant students 2 good things before 1 correction Find ways to praise – even the smallest achievement

7. Successful Atmosphere Do not place the student in a situation where he/she will have to rebel Be aware of fatigue and disappointment Applaud the successes – both one on one and to the group, and to the parent, AND to other teachers When necessary, review situations and outcomes

8. Plan Ahead Set realistic goals Meet often to review Baby Steps at times, jump forward at others Reward only when achieved Rewind if necessary, Review, Restructure, and Restart

9. Keep In Touch Positive phone calls first Get parents to be advocates Include student in discussions Brag about student Remember how you discuss student today will affect his tomorrow with next year’s teacher Thumper’s Mom Rule – “if you can’t say something nice……”