Get Students Motivated for Back-to-School

As summer is winding down, I’m sure you’re gearing up for getting back into your classroom. Soon you’ll be facing a whole new group of students. Those kids will be looking to you for help and guidance, and they’ll probably have a little fear and trepidation, too. How can you gain their trust and get them motivated for the year ahead?

These suggestions may help:

• Create “Can-Do Kids.” Instead of the traditional “what did you do over the summer” routine, ask each student to compile a book of accomplishments. Encourage them to write their abilities down on separate sheets of paper, along with awards they have won, special compliments they were given, or notable grades they received related to each particular ability or activity. Stress that they record how much they’ve enjoyed what they’ve done, how it made them feel, and what they may have learned from it. Then, as they share it with the rest of the class, point out the unique qualities of each student. This “handbook” will serve as a visual reminder of the abilities and achievements each child contributes to the class.
  


• Make time for hands-on activities whenever you can. Studies show that manipulatives keep children engaged and amused, and also create a fun, relaxed learning atmosphere. Kids who are shy or unsure of themselves will be drawn in to the process of play, and will begin to interact with their classmates. Carefully chosen hands-on activities involve children in developing both enhanced learning and social relationships. Plus, your students will look forward to “playing” as they learn!
  


• Play word call. Call out words that will evoke different reactions among your students – words like “thunderstorm,” “school,” “holidays,” etc. Ask the kids how the words make them feel. The children will readily see that they have a lot in common with their classmates and are not alone in their feelings or fears.



• Be approachable. Be seen in the cafeteria or in the hallway. Let it be known that you are available afterschool. Encourage students to email you at home if they have questions or concerns (you might limit this to certain hours). Make it clear your students are a priority and you are there when they need you.
  


• Help students develop a signature style. Emphasize personal tastes by encouraging each child to bring in articles and/or photos about his or her favorite things. Let the students create individual bulletin board displays as a way to get to know each other better. Then refer to them often. For example, you might say something like, “Today we’ll be reading and learning about the panda, which we all know is one of Susie’s favorite animals. Now we’ll find out why.”



• Be attentive to what’s going on with each student. Watch and listen. Is the student shy? Does he or she have a hard time making friends? Does he or she seem happy and well-adjusted? Is the student a risk-taker or instigator? You want your group to blend together well and if an individual student is having a problem or needs a little extra help, make sure you’re aware of it and take the appropriate steps to address it.
  


• Bring a large mirror into the classroom. Have the class stand before it and point out all their similar characteristics. Then talk about the traits unique to each child. This will foster a sense of belonging and contributing to the group as a whole, which at the same time reinforcing the idea that everyone makes their own special contribution.
  
  These suggestions are just some of my ideas. I’m sure you have many more. I look forward to hearing what’s proven successful for you and your students. You’re the real experts, so I’m confident you’ll have a lot that we all can learn from!