How do you motivate students who are unmotivated?

1. How do you motivate students who are unmotivated? By Devon LaRosa devon.larosa@rps205.com

2. Really Quick Who I am … • Taught At Jefferson High School … Rockford, IL • Rockford Native • I taught Government, Co-Taught Government, World History, Black History, US History… • Currently I am the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction • Went to SIU-Carbondale, Rockford College, NLU-Chicago

3. The Hook Think of two things… • 1. What can you do now to address this situation? • 2. What could you do to avoid (as much as possible) this situation in the future?

4. The Scenario • You begin a new unit in your course. As you start introducing the material, you notice the all-too-familiar “glazed eyes”, doodling, and general lack of attention from your students.

5. My plan … Overview for this evening • 1. The Problem • 2. The Possible Solutions • 3. Dalton Sherman • 4. What questions do you have for me? • ( Keep in mind I have never written a book on this topic… rather… I have researched it… I experience it… and have had some success… Keep this in mind please)

6. So often we think… • Why does this student not do anything? • Why is he not motivated? • Why is this student lazy? • What am I doing wrong? • Is what I am teaching boring? • How can I motivate students?

7. Something simple… Gary Fields – Educational Consultant… • A Teacher must: • Know • Value • Inspire • All their students • Would you agree?

8. Professional Learning Communities PLCs • How can they help?

9. Wait let me say this… • INTRINSIC vs. EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION • If you give them everything… What have they gained… • You should help them want whatever it is you are giving them • What do you think?

10. What can you do to motivate students? • I try to make learning fun… I try not to be an entertainer… but make things fun… You have to find a balance… • If I find that I am bored or unmotivated… the students are to… • Know that you can not solve all motivation issues… but try at least… • Set Goals • BUILD UTILITY into the learning

11. Some strategies… And some references to look for additional readings • Capitalize on students' existing needs. • Make students active participants in learning. • Ask students to analyze what makes their classes more or less "motivating.”

12. Continued • Instructional Behaviors That Motivate Students Hold high but realistic expectations for your students. • Help students set achievable goals for themselves.

13. Continued • Strengthen students' self-motivation. Avoid messages that reinforce your power as an instructor or that emphasize extrinsic rewards. Instead of saying, "I require," "you must," or "you should," stress "I think you will find. . . " or "I will be interested in your reaction."

14. Continued • Work from students' strengths and interests. • Increase the difficulty of the material as the semester progresses. • Give students feedback as quickly as possible.

15. Ok last ones….. • Be specific when giving negative feedback. • Avoid creating intense competition among students. • Ask nonthreatening questions about the reading.

16. Meet Dalton Sherman(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAMLOnSNwzA) • Youth Spokesperson for the SUCCESS Foundation • Inspire and Empower

17. Questions… Comments… Concerns…. • What questions do you have for me? Thank you!!!!!!! My contact info… Devon LaRosa Jefferson High School devon.larosa@rps205.com

18. Books for further readings • Focus- Elevating the Essentials Mike Schmoker • Teaching Boys Who Struggle in School Kathleen Palmer Cleveland • Creating the Opportunity to Learn A. Wade Boykin Pedro Noguera • Charlotte Danielson’s Framework for Teaching