Every learning theory from Maslow to Gardner has "motivation" as its initial and fundamental step.  However, few teachers have a repertoire of effective motivational strategies and techniques.  In the classroom we tend to use a "one size fits all" approach by attempting to motivate all students with one single reward system, star chart or grading policy.  This seminar presents an innovative and field-tested model that enables teachers to better understand and foster student motivation at all grade levels.

The workshop begins with an exploration of some of the common misconceptions related to student motivation and some of the common strategies that are, simply, ineffective (competition, reward systems, punishment). Specific approaches and strategies will then be presented that will enable teachers and parents to motivate students…and maintain that motivation throughout the school year.

This workshop, based on the book by the same name, encourages teachers to examine and identify each child’s “motivational” style and to design motivational strategies that will inspire the child to reach his or her potential.

Objectives:

• That the participants will understand the three basic truths about classroom motivation.
• That the participants will re-examine the basic classroom approaches (e.g., competition, punishment, reward systems, etc.) and recognize the relative ineffectiveness of these strategies.
• That the participant will recognize the six factors that motivate human beings (gregariousness, autonomy, etc.)
• That the participant will translate these factors into practical, pragmatic classroom strategies.