Motivation

How can I increase motivation in the classroom? It seems like it is harder and harder to motivate students the longer I work.  I always turn to candy or stickers for a sticker chart to earn a reward.  This temporarily works but it seems to not last long until I am having to think of something else to do.  Some students do not want to go the extra mile unless there is something for them in the end.  "Well I will do this for a piece of candy" or "If I am good all day can I have a sticker". These are all phrases we have heard before.  What is a way that we can increase intrinsic motivation with students? This has been a question I have pondered many times.  I finally took the plunge and created a plan.  Each student has a folder with their morning schedule on it.  This is a picture schedule that tells them what group they will go to in what order.  This makes the morning routine much easier and they can see what they need to complete. If students get all stations completed they get to participate in free choice time at the end of the morning. If they do not get all activities completed they have to finish what needs to be done before they can participate in free choice.  This plan has been very successful for me. I have noticed that many students are getting their work done that before would not get completed.  I will continue this plan and make adjustments as needed.

Moving Mindsets

How could you adapt or change one of your current class/course policies to reflect a moving mindset? Is this a change you are willing to make? Why or Why not?

     One thing I would do to change one of my course policies to reflect a moving mindset is to give the students more options with technology. I think I get so wrapped up into routine and tradition that sometimes I have  hard time "letting go". A change I am willing to make is to give my students options with technology to publish their writing pieces. This may be power point, word processing, prezi, or any other options they come up with.  I am a very structured and routine based person.  So I tend to run my classroom the same way.  Giving options are hard for me and I need to become better at this.  With 1:1 implementation beginning in my grade level I am going to have to let go of some of these issues and be much more flexible. I am scared but yet excited at what the future holds. :)