*MOTIVATION* March 28, 2007
Posted by mg1107 in Uncategorized.trackback
Despite my fatigue and coming to school with my black sweater top on inside out (pointed out by a fellow classmate this morning, thanks 
haha), this semester’s hard work is proving to be rewarding.
In class this morning Dr. B went over something that I really took to heart. Motivation.
The first thought I had while we were going over it was….heck, if we think back to the times that we have felt completely unmotivated for school…well, what makes us feel that way? When dissecting my own personal problem in one of my classes back at school, I realized that (not to put all of the blame on my teacher by any means), but I just really noticed: he has been making me play things for 5 years now– 5 years…and none of it to which I have ever really liked or gotten into, except for one piece. I feel forced and have not really been interested. Nor has he ever asked for my opinion. He just expects me to want to do things like he does. What am I really gaining here other than perhaps a headache every week? (That sounds so mean….but think of our students as we become teachers!)
*grim face*
It all ties in to US as we are developing skills to become great teachers and ways to help us interest the students! In class the option of rewards came up, or working with surprises keeps students engaged, or bringing up subjects or projects that deal with what Mrs. Nicholson calls the ”ick-factor”. But I still feel the main the idea to GET TO KNOW YOUR STUDENT and develop a good rapport as Dr. B has been saying is the underlining answer to making a true difference. As a student, an observer, and future successful teacher, I am totally understanding the importance of motivation and good rapport.
CT class: Keeping it short, they are doing very well. U.I.L. is next week already and Kate and I spoke with our C.T. to drive up to Pflugerville and follow the band through the whole thing next Thursday. That class is so intense that I feel like a parent for all I have seen them grow this semester. Looking forward to it. 
ELL Buddy: Brought him homemade cookies today like I had planned and haha, it seemed to even boost his confidence today. The fluidity, pauses for punctuation, and character voices as he reads has really improved, so I wanted to let him know. I’ve been clear in what we would work on in this time, and …yeah… like I said…I feel like it is working.
Keep the motivation up! We’re almost there…
Cookies? Where are my cookies? The soaring eagles must mean a lot to you to take a trip with them and help in anyway that you can next Thursday. And for this, I give a round of applause. This says a lot about your character and the teacher that you are going to be for your students.
Cookies? Homemade cookies???? Talk about motivation! And think about intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation. What’s motivating you in your 5 years with this one instructor? Grades? What’s motivating the AHS band students to perform better and better? Awards? Or, is it possible both you and the band students have developed your own sense of motivation and you persist and improve because it just feels good to become and be very competent. Getting to know your students is a large part of the motivation issue, but so is providing students with the knowledge and skills and SUPPORT to excel.
Thanks, as always, for your insights!
Ms. N