Motivation Series Part 1: How to Truly Motivate Students in the Classroom
Share This:
Student motivation is a HUGE issue in the classroom! Some kids are eager to jump into every activity while others need a little extra encouragement to participate, listen, think, and respond. So, how can teachers motivate students to learn? The answer isn’t always a prize, reward, or fancy classroom incentive (but those sure are fun!). Oftentimes, motivation starts with active listening. When children can listen, understand a message, ask for help, and respond in ways that work for them, they are better prepared to participate in their learning—that’s a big win for everyone!
Why Student Motivation Matters
Motivation is the driving force and enthusiasm to do something. In the classroom, motivation guides children to focus on learning. Motivated students have been shown to be more goal-oriented. This also results in taking initiative, not giving up, demonstrating hard work, and respecting themselves and others.
Motivation drives children to engage in lifelong learning! Teaching unmotivated children often feels like spinning tires stuck in the mud.
Finding ways to motivate unmotivated children and keep already motivated children inspired isn’t just a good idea; it’s essential to having a positive social-emotional learning environment. When some classmates are motivated, they are more likely to encourage other classmates too— yay for a great classroom community!
How to Motivate Students Through Active Listening & Smart Beads
Smart Beads are a fun and effective way to motivate students by celebrating their hard work every day. (They’re also a super inexpensive option, so that’s another win for every classroom teacher out there!)
Smart Beads will be a HOT COMMODITY in your classroom!
What You Need
Smart Beads are so easy to use in your primary classroom!
First, head to your local Dollar Store and buy 4 “cheapo” plastic bead necklaces for $1.25, and rename them “Smart Beads”. Make a big deal about these special new Smart Beads to your favorite little friends, and suddenly the beads are worth more than the Hope Diamond!
Next, grab the Active Listening Social Story and Activity Set. This resource has everything you need to help turn distracted learners into active listeners—so they’re ready to earn lots of Smart Beads!
The Active Listening Resource includes:
- Classroom Social Story
- Personal Social Story Reader
- Discussion Questions
- Class Pledge
- Active Listening Toolbox
- Teaching Cards
- Poetry Poster
- Parent Letter
- Adult Notes & Discussion Guide
- & SO MUCH MORE!
How Students Get Smart Beads
After you’ve read the Active Listening Social Story and worked through a few of the resource activities, your students are ready to earn Smart Beads!
They can do so in 4 easy steps:
- Being ready
- Listening
- Thinking
- Responding
When students earn Smart Beads, everyone wins!
You win because your students are focused, participating in lessons, and paying attention (well…most of the students…these aren’t MAGIC beads after all!)
Your students win because they get to show off their smarts in front of their classmates and wear VALUABLE, SHINY, BLING around their necks for the rest of the day!
Active Listening Can Look Different
Remember, listening can look different for different people. Some children may look at the person speaking while others look nearby. Some may sit still while others may focus better when they move or use a quiet tool.
The goal isn’t to teach children how a listener should look but to help them pay attention to, understand, and respond to a message in ways that work for them!
Home Connection
After students wear the beads all day, they also get a certificate to take home explaining why they were celebrated in class.
Motivation increases when students’ special grownups know what’s happening in the classroom and can reinforce positive behaviors at home—it increases all around with Smart Beads!
Grab this certificate for FREE to start celebrating and bragging about your students today!
**Print on colored paper for the most fun-factor!
FAQs
What if Smart Beads become a distraction?
If the beads become a distraction, have the student put them on your desk so they can still see them. They still have the certificate to take home and show they received recognition.
What if my students need a refresh?
It’s totally normal to need to revisit important social-emotional skills like active listening! Use the Active Listening Toolbox and Practice Mat to help children remember how to be ready, listen, understand, and respond in the classroom.
Remember, active listening is a process, and it will look different for everyone! Use Smart Beads as a fun way to motivate students to stay focused in the classroom.
Don’t forget to pin this post to refer to it later!
Other posts you may enjoy:
4 Powerful Ways to Immediately Boost Student Well Being
Struggling Readers? Have You Considered This To Be The Reason?
Find Out How I Get My Students To Use Capitalization And Punctuation Like Superheroes!
KEEP HALLWAY BEHAVIOR ON TRACK WITH THIS
Free Secret Walker Kit
Monitoring hallway behavior has never been so easy and so motivating!
Diane Romo
I’m so glad you’re here! I share practical ideas and ready-to-use resources for teachers, parents, homeschoolers, and counselors who want to foster strong relationships and inspire meaningful learning. If you support kids, this space is for you.
