How to Motivate High School Students to Learn on the First Week of School

By: Stephen Condren
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:26:41
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It can never be said enough that you only have one time to make a first impression. With that in mind it is best to make it a good and lasting one. Many teachers to not realize that students coming into their classroom for the first time are disoriented and even uncomfortable and they should be aware and understanding of this. The students are uncomfortable because they are in an environment that is unknown to them and they are not sure how to present themselves and how to respond to the new and un-familiar surroundings.

You have to make the students feel at ease and safe. It is a common myth in educational circles that you have to start out the first day being strict and hard. In reality it is quite the opposite. You have to make every effort to make your students feel comfortable. The best method for getting your students comfortable is to set boundaries. People always feel comfortable when they know what the boundaries and expectations are. This is true from a formal wedding to a simple family gathering. It is this concept of setting clear boundaries that has many teachers confused.

Take time to learn the students name, listen to their concerns, and smile often. You will find that by takeing the time to get to know your students and address their needs has tremenous positive long term gains for you and the students in your classroom. Above all things be genuine in your love for the students for it will come back to you ten fold.

It is a wise practice to offer a simple quiz on the topic that you are teaching and design it in such a way that when they are finished they feel that they have gained knowledge. Then as a pleasant surprise have the students correct the quiz themselves. Read aloud the questions and work with the class on getting the correct response. At the end tell all of the students to mart 100% at the top of the paper and place an “A” next to it. This positive reinforcement has profound good effect on the students that will have lasting successful results.

I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago in Hyde Park Township, near the University of Chicago. As I child I was always drawing and painting. My father owned an art supply company, Favor Ruhl & Watson, where I was able to get all that I needed to progress in my work.

I have always enjoyed portraiture and landscape painting. In High School (Naperville Central High School) I took Drafting from Mr. Pierce. I quickly grasped the principles of perspective and drafting and hence made a career with both Fine Art and Architectural Renderings.

In the mid 1970's I joined the US Navy and was stationed on board the USS Midway, CV-41. The Midway was home ported in Yokosuka, Japan (A suburb of Tokyo). While in service I traveled all over Asia including such countries as Korea, China, Philippines, Singapore, Pakistan, Hong Kong, and Japan. While in Japan I learned Japanese. I speak German and Spanish as well.

I am an omnivorous reader with a love of History and Philosophy. I admire the works of Immanuel Kant, Albert Schweitzer, and Fredrich Nietzsche.

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