Sharing Good Practice
The following are four creative ways
teachers can implement motivation
and support within the classroom.
1. Helping Others
Students can study ahead of time and
not procrastinate. This is an advantage
in preparing for an assessment or
assignment. To prioritize activities and
events, students can use a motivational
journal or calendar whether it’s a
calendar book or phone to get tasks
completed independently, and then
celebrate the task by doing something
positive, like tutoring or volunteering
for other organizations. Students need
motivational support to set goals and
support to complete them. Jenkins
& Jenkins (1987) states peer tutoring
provides a more caring climate in the
school, students and teachers monitor
each other’s behavior and invest in
each other’s success. Students are
able to reach their school goals and
also gain social maturity through
responsibilities that affect the lives
of others. Many times, students are
not interested in a subject or may
not understand. Peer tutoring can
help with motivating students to
accomplish a given task.
2. Social Media
McKibben (2016) discusses how to
turn social media over to students.
Yes, there is some debate on what
the students may say. However, this
is the opportunity to allow students
to be motivated while focusing on
their lessons.
McKibben states
empowering
students
to
take
ownership of your classroom, school,
or district social media accounts is
an exercise in trust. Get permission
from your administration and parents,
and if allowed, create an Instagram
and Twitter page for your students
to post and share their wonderful
classroom experiences. (There are
other resources on the internet that
you can use.)
3. Portfolios and
Accountability
Having students maintain growth
portfolios to see how they have
improved throughout the academic
year. This will hold students
accountable on the progress made
throughout the year. Students are able
to reflect on their own progress and
make a plan to achieve their results.
Students can use a calendar with
motivational quotes to set schedules
to complete tasks.
Building relationships is important
in motivating and showing support
for students.
Students begin to
build confidence, success, and
have something to offer, thus being
motivated in the classroom. Students
can focus on academics and their
passion, but they need to make sure
they do weekly or monthly check-
ins to see if they are meeting their
goals. Students can also have an
accountability partner. Once the goals
are met, students can find a way to
celebrate an accomplished goal. students. This can be in the daily
schedule or monthly calendar. There is
a need to motivate students in the 21st
century to reach their passion.
4. Motivational Coloring References
Another cool idea is having a school
community coloring wall designated
for motivation throughout the school
or classroom. Students can color
or draw on the wall for motivation
using green, orange, and blue. Using
the right colors can affect feelings,
attention, and behavior. Afterwards,
post the motivation pictures on the
school website or social media page. It
seems starting a trend and becoming
creative in the classroom, as the
teacher, will give students motivation
to reach higher for the goals or dreams
or just even tap into them. What’s
something trendy that you can do to
motivate your students? Color Psychology (2019). Retrieved
from
https://www.shiftelearning.
com/blog/how-do-colors-influence-
learning
My passion has always been to increase
student empowerment and motivation
for our students. To motivate, to
support and to empower. Teachers
and schools should work together to
create ways to empower and motivate
What are some empowerment or
motivational strategies that you can
provide to students?
“Every great dream begins with a
dreamer. Always remember, you have
within you the strength, the patience,
and the passion to reach for the stars to
change the world.” - Harriet Tubman.
J. Jenkins & L. Jenkins (1987).
Association for Supervision and
Curriculum Development. “Making
Peer Tutoring Work,” Systematic
training, active supervision, structured
lessons, daily progress measurement,
and an emphasis on mastery
characterize the peer tutoring program
for elementary and secondary students
in Lake Washington.
S. McKibben (2016). Should students
run your social media accounts?
Vol. 58, Issue 10. Retrieved from
http://www.ascd.org/publications/
newsletters/education-update/oct16/
vol58/num10/Should-Students-Run-
Your-Social-Media-Accounts%C2%A2.
aspx
Octevia Torian is from Virginia, United States of America. She has 14 years of
experience in the education field. Octevia is currently in her second year of
teaching in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. She is a graduate from Averett University,
Capella University, and Virginia Commonwealth University.
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