Are your students frustrated? Do they give up easily – or sometimes not even try?
My strategies help you build student motivation which, in turn, increases student participation. Fun, engaging lessons are at the heart of building a classroom in which all students participate. We also introduce methods for creating an inquisitive classroom, in which students are free to question the material and explore the curricula in greater depth. By honoring student voice, giving them more opportunities to respond, and presenting material in several modes, we turbocharge the chances our students will discover more ways of learning. If we teach to their strengths – and help them overcome their weaker areas – they will have more tools for their own learning.
Do you use strategies that grab attention and interest and prompt greater participation in the classroom?
A student who isn’t interested is not likely to care about the lesson. And when students are distracted by social media and online games it isn’t easy to get them interested in biology or the Civil War. Teaching by using students’ vernacular, experiences, and points of view boosts their interest in your lesson and their understanding of the material. I present very specific methods to re-engage your students and increase participation in your classroom.
Are your lessons relevant and engaging?
Students get frustrated if they don’t understand the task at hand. Thanks to the pressures of our schedules, we are often forced to press on just to get through the material. Even given these parameters, you can create memorable moments for your students. Greatly improve the chance they catch the meaning of your lessons and attach them to their own experiences through the use of synectics and other strategies taught in my course. Reducing confusion and increasing understanding create more relevant and engaging lessons.
Are your students connected to the curriculum?
We’ll show you how to create more “Aha!” moments by connecting concepts in the curricula to students’ own experiences. Using strategies that honor student voice and allow them to approach the material through their strengths reduces resistance to learning and increases opportunities for students to respond.
Do you promote a sense of self-efficacy in your students?
Your state and school WILL put your students to the test and expect them to perform. Except for athletes and performers, most students have little experience working under pressure; they aren’t ready. Using dynamic tension strategies, you can teach your students how to work when stressed. When students truly earn their knowledge in such conditions, they are much more likely to understand how they learn best and to feel motivated to learn even more. By allowing our students to struggle a bit, we give them the chance to discover the concept or answer for themselves.
Do you share your great ideas efficiently and effectively?
Too often, teachers are left on their own to figure out what works and what doesn’t. Learn to increase dialogue between teachers and administrators and to showcase the best lessons that are being taught in your building, grade level or department. Learn how to record and share your best lessons. When you do so, you’ll preserve the best and most effective lessons. New teachers– as well as educators who suddenly must change grades or subjects – will greatly benefit. Having a reliable and accurate method of sharing our very best lessons can boost teacher retention and student achievement.
Supports, PBIS, RTI, PLCs and other fine programs.