Chapter 6: Motivation and Boredom

This chapter has to do with the things teachers need to keep in mind to keep their students motivated. The things that are present in schools that make students motivated are: passionate teachers, issues they care about, connections to the real world, and the ability to have choices in things that matter. As educators in order to help the students stay motivated we must do things like: make learning a social thing, make sure we understand, respond with interest when the kids show interest, care about student progress, help students stay on top of their workload, have the students take pride in their work, and provide them with role models from the real world to keep them motivated. Another big thing in this chapter is time. "Timing is everything" (110). Timing applies to everything from during the daily agenda, to homework, projects, and tests. The biggest part of motivation however, is getting students to be interested in reading and writing. When they are interested in these two things, then their grades will improve amongst all of their classes.

This chapter was really helpful with giving ways to keep the students motivated. Students half of the time hate being in school, and are only there because they were forced to be there. However, if you are able to get them to care and be motivated by what's going on, then you're going to have more successful students in your classroom. I really liked the chart on page 112 which focuses on when students should do what. That is a tool that I am certain I am going to refer to when I am teaching. A lot of the stuff on the chart is obvious as a student, but when you're a teacher, you're just thinking of fullfilling the standard, not what works best for the student.