Fun Ways to Motivate Students to Achieve Goals

When it comes to a difficult task, it is hard to stay motivated!  Personally, I find it easier to motivate students to work hard at a common goal if they know what's in it for them.  Honestly, I have to set a personal reward so I work hard to achieve my goals.  While some may say that rewards-based incentives don't work, I say it builds discipline.  It makes the success so much sweeter when you know you can relish in your favorite episode of Real Housewives because you finished grading all the quizzes!  Click the image below to download this freebie for your classroom:

FREE WAYS TO MOTIVATE STUDENTS

-extra recess

-pajama day

-no homework pass

-lights off learning

-competitive indoor games

-principal / announcements shout out

-student choice music playlist

-kahoot

LOW COST WAYS TO MOTIVATE STUDENTS

-seasonal food related days (ex: National S'mores Day, Hot Cocoa, Lemonade, etc.)

-blow bubbles outside

-root beer floats

-teacher brings class snack

-Little Caesar's pizza party

-arts & crafts project

-donuts or donut holes for the class munchkins

-technology games (Heads Up - there is a free version also)

MATERIALS NEEDED TO CREATE YOUR "DONUT WORRY, WE GOT THIS!" TRACKER

(items below include affiliated links)

-brownie pan

-super magnets (if attaching pan to metal surface) or mounting tape (if attaching pan to other surfaces)

-magnetic tape (to attach to back of donuts & text)

-laminator & film (to preserve donuts & text)

Now that we have covered different ways to motivate your students to achieve goals, let's talk about how to track these goals.  You can use a system like filling up a small cake pan with magnetic donuts or brownies.  If you want the class to focus on role model behavior even when you are not around, then write it down and post this goal near the door to remind them. For example, the goal my class was working towards achieving was, "When given the option of being right or being kind, choose kind." in an attempt to promote responsibility and respect when interacting amidst differences in opinions.  This helped to minimize the class behavior issues my students were exhibiting in the form of petty arguments and squabbles after recess, specials or transitions.

Then, anytime the class receives a compliment from a special areas teacher, the principal, or a lunch duty aide for exceptional behavior, then a magnet can be placed in the pan!  Some teachers only require 12 to fill up the pan, but my class had to reach 15 to achieve their goal.  This visual tracker helps students notice how close or far they are from an incentive.  Also, another fun twist is making principal comments double the points, so they can earn twice the amount from an administrator!

As a class, we can keep track of goals using a tracker like the one below.  This is a sample page from my Student Goal Getter Data Binder kit.

Uplifting Strategies for Distance Learning

Attitude is a powerful thing, and it's important to UPLIFT students during distance learning when we can all feel a little glum!  

To combat my classroom Debbie Downers, I started a Moodlifter Monday video segment.  Basically, I played a humorous or thought-provoking video while my class watched & ate their morning snack. 

First, I set the stage for the video clip and stressed the importance of keeping a positive attitude even during times of adversity, and then played the funny reel.  My students LOVED getting in on the action and really enjoyed finding clips for me to share based on something they had created or found online.

During this time of distance learning and the pandemic, you can share a slide with your students through your shared screen on ZOOM, Google Meets or Google Classroom, etc.

As you can see, there's an attached video clip (in the bottom right corner) for students to watch.  In this example, I have shared a humorous animal video clip from a search on YouTube.  I also recommend Kid President and Ellen for more great material!

• sharing a joke of the day(can be changed to thought or quote of the day)
• sharing a bitmoji image(can be changed to a giphy.com or selfie)
• Ask a check-in question through the Classroom stream, a shared Slide or Form
  (example: What's something fun you did yesterday?)
• Include "national holiday" or "this day in history" fun facts
  (National Day Calendar or History)
• Include a physical or mindfulness exercise clip for all to participate
  
• Inspire creativity with a directed drawing (art video clip) or fun read aloud
  

If you would like to use the digital template pictured above in your classroom, click here.