Problem Solving

Motivating the unmotivated student

Follow a specific plan when you want to motivate a student you are working with. They will respond to a definite program rather than a "get off your butt and do it!" speech. The following points will help:

• State your expectations. Tell them what you want to have accomplished by the end of a certain time period.

• Establish a performance standard. Define what is unacceptable work and what is acceptable. This can be neatness or point form vs. paragraph form.

• Praise good work. Let them know when they have reached the standards or exceeded the standards that you have set.

• Ask for their input. Get them to state how they can better complete the work that you have assigned.

Having students praise themselves

Students are motivated by deserved praise, but often this goes unrecognized in the busy flow of a classroom. Teach the students to take the time to praise themselves. This takes practice but can be done in the following easy steps.

1. I praise myself as soon as I have done something right.

2. I tell myself specifically what I did right.

3. I tell myself how good I feel about what I did right.

4. I encourage myself to continue the same good behaviour.

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