Motivating/ Encouraging
Reluctant Learners
Jennifer Wagner
projectsbyjen@gmail.com
"You cannot teach people anything.
You can only help
them discover it within themselves."
~Galileo
Capture Their
Attention
• Get the students involved as soon as they
enter the class
• Use meaningful subject-oriented activities
or get right into lesson
• By engaging students right away will be
easier to keep them focused for the
lesson.
• Do not distract by being vague of what is
coming next
• Call students by name
Use Your Full
Class Period
• Plan for your full class time, over plan
• Stay relevant, stay concise, stay on task
• Last thought as they close the book, leave the
classroom, move on to next activity MUST be
what was just shared.
• Be attentive, alert, and aware of distracters
Use Games, Puzzles, Online
Activities
• Puzzles
• Old Games – new ideas
• Use cartoons as story starters
Student Must
Feel Worth
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Student of the month
Know their name and at least one personal trait
Eliminate the red pencil for reluctant students
2 good things before 1 correction
Find ways to praise – even the smallest
achievement
Successful
Atmosphere
• Do not place the student in a situation where
he/she will have to rebel
• Be aware of fatigue and disappointment
• Applaud the successes – both one on one
and to the group, and to the parent, AND to
other teachers
• When necessary, review situations and
outcomes
Plan
Ahead
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Set realistic goals
Meet often to review
Baby Steps at times, jump forward at others
Reward only when achieved
Rewind if necessary, Review, Restructure,
and Restart
Keep
In Touch
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Positive phone calls first
Get parents to be advocates
Include student in discussions
Brag about student
Remember how you discuss student today
will affect his tomorrow with next year’s
teacher
• Thumper’s Mom Rule – “if you can’t say
something nice……”