engagement and motivation
Engagement
How will you engage your students?
With the comfort level in the class setting, most students will want to willingly participate in their own learning. Students will understand that their ideas are important because nobody else can see the world like they do from their eyes. Students are encouraged to think "out of the box." Creativity is key.
What methods will you try to keep things interesting for all?
I plan on using a lot of technology with class presentations. When I give assignments, I will give options as to how the students want to complete them. There will be specific criteria they must meet, but the way they demonstrate knowledge will be left to their own devices.
What do you bring to the classroom besides your content expertise and teaching technique?
I bring joy, an open mind, years of working with children, energy and optimism into my classroom that often tends to be contagious.
How do you plan to address differences in learning styles?
I love that all students learn differently. How boring to be teaching the same way to every student! I would like to have the students fill out a self-reflective portion in their journal at the beginning of the year that tells me what they enjoy, how they feel the learn the best and maybe some ideas as to what would help them learn even more! Of course, not all students know their learning style. It is my job to work with each student on a one on one basis until we find what works.
Motivation
What are some of your motivational strategies? Are grades the only motivation that your student have to complete their assignments? ___How do you intend to reach those students who are not motivated by grades?
Let's be honest, even as adults we sometimes lack motivation to get even the most important things done. Why should this be any different for students? Beyond the grade, which is very important to many students, there needs to be a different incentive to get assignments completed. I would like to create an environment where the students know that I am more concerned that they are learning, then what their end grade is. I want them to know that I care that they are becoming better readers and writers. Sometimes a student just wants to be acknowledged for their efforts and when they know that they are in charge of their own learning they get a sense of pride from that. Students need more than a "good job" (Kohn, 2006, p. 204). A good sense of classroom community is important when motivating students. At the end of the quarter I will have a fun and exciting cumulative classroom dinner party within the classroom. Students will know from the beginning of the quarter that if their work is not completed, then they may not attend and they will be able to sit and finish their incomplete assignments in another room at that time.
How will you engage your students?
With the comfort level in the class setting, most students will want to willingly participate in their own learning. Students will understand that their ideas are important because nobody else can see the world like they do from their eyes. Students are encouraged to think "out of the box." Creativity is key.
What methods will you try to keep things interesting for all?
I plan on using a lot of technology with class presentations. When I give assignments, I will give options as to how the students want to complete them. There will be specific criteria they must meet, but the way they demonstrate knowledge will be left to their own devices.
What do you bring to the classroom besides your content expertise and teaching technique?
I bring joy, an open mind, years of working with children, energy and optimism into my classroom that often tends to be contagious.
How do you plan to address differences in learning styles?
I love that all students learn differently. How boring to be teaching the same way to every student! I would like to have the students fill out a self-reflective portion in their journal at the beginning of the year that tells me what they enjoy, how they feel the learn the best and maybe some ideas as to what would help them learn even more! Of course, not all students know their learning style. It is my job to work with each student on a one on one basis until we find what works.
Motivation
What are some of your motivational strategies? Are grades the only motivation that your student have to complete their assignments? ___How do you intend to reach those students who are not motivated by grades?
Let's be honest, even as adults we sometimes lack motivation to get even the most important things done. Why should this be any different for students? Beyond the grade, which is very important to many students, there needs to be a different incentive to get assignments completed. I would like to create an environment where the students know that I am more concerned that they are learning, then what their end grade is. I want them to know that I care that they are becoming better readers and writers. Sometimes a student just wants to be acknowledged for their efforts and when they know that they are in charge of their own learning they get a sense of pride from that. Students need more than a "good job" (Kohn, 2006, p. 204). A good sense of classroom community is important when motivating students. At the end of the quarter I will have a fun and exciting cumulative classroom dinner party within the classroom. Students will know from the beginning of the quarter that if their work is not completed, then they may not attend and they will be able to sit and finish their incomplete assignments in another room at that time.