Certain curriculum can be boring with little to no classroom engagement. Teachers who provide stimulating learning experiences increase children’s interests. Interactive environments promote student motivation and reduce procrastination. New or seasoned teachers may need some inspiration to keep students’ attention.
Sometimes, teachers need motivation and creativity for new ideas. When you bring energy to class, you motivate students with impactful learning. Awakening Minds: The Power of Creativity in Teaching offers insight to look within yourself. James Downton takes teachers on a journey to tap into their own creativity in this book.
Here are some tips and methods to enhance student motivation and focus.
- Let Students Have a Say: Teachers can follow the curriculum guidelines and give a little leeway by giving students options. When you allow students to choose some assignments and tasks, you increase engagement and motivation. Also, when executing lesson plans, have enthusiasm because this will energize your students.
- Set Clear Goals and Objectives: As the classroom leader, the teacher must define boundaries and clear-cut learning goals. When educators set expectations, students know what to expect and will have less confusion. Your class will be more motivated to work on tasks and achieve the ultimate goal.
- Switch-Up the Setting: Sitting in a classroom all day at a desk can bore students and leave them restless. Teachers can create a change in scenery in various ways. You can give lessons outside of the classroom, take field trips, or reward them with movies or music. Breaking up daily and mundane routines stimulate brain activity and will raise student motivation.
- Tailor Lessons for all Students: Some children learn better by reading in a quiet setting, and others excel in hands-on or visual learning. When you add a variety of teaching methods, this has something for every student in the class. Various teaching approaches also keep the lessons more interesting and students more motivated.
- Create a Healthy Environment: In your classroom, let students know actions have consequences but do not rule with an iron fist. Foster an open, safe, and supportive environment where students can communicate and freely express ideas. Show your class that you believe in them and positively reinforce this as often as you can.
- Offer Activities and Rewards: Make learning more exciting through games, teamwork, and rewarding students for their efforts. Give out incentives that have approval from the school’s protocol. Rewards can range from a sticker, snacks, or movie tickets.
- Set Up Teams to Tackle Tasks: Break the class up into teams to work on projects together. Group settings offer collaboration and break up the monotony of routine learning. Teamwork lets students socially interact while completing an educational task. Group projects also help foster various developmental skills. Just make sure you fairly balance the teams.
- Identify Strengths and Weaknesses: When students work in groups, they often see the subjects they excel in and where they fall behind. Team dynamics help children see their strong suits and areas that need improvement. As a teacher, observe your classroom when they work in group settings. You can develop a learning plan to try and strengthen weak spots. Knowing students beyond their name and making an effort to teach will significantly help them. Participating and taking time to work with your students will make them feel valued and increase their motivation. Teachers who know their students well understand their interests and can build upon the learning experience.
We have given you eight ways to increase learning and motivation among your students. To gain further insight, Happy Numbers also offers different methods to use while teaching. Remember, when you have fun teaching, your students will enjoy learning.