Tag: elementary

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Lack of Motivation: A Common Struggle in Today’s Classrooms

In my last post, I introduced a poll I conducted, wherein I gathered information regarding common challenges students today are facing. As a reminder, eleven teachers were polled, and 100% of them indicated that lack of motivation was one of the top struggles they see their students face. 81% of them named both distractions and access to technology as other top problems. Teachers were asked to share how they see these problems present in their classrooms, and what they are doing to help their students combat the issues. 

Today, I’ll dive into the number one most common problem: lack of motivation. 

When I created the poll, I was expecting to have lack of motivation be a concern for secondary teachers. What I was surprised to learn, however, is that elementary teachers are experiencing the same problems with their students, too. 

One first grade teacher said, “There are so many students that don’t buy into learning, and they don’t care to learn what they are being taught. I find that this typically either comes because students struggle with a subject or because they are so good at it that they feel bored- even though there is usually still something they need to practice in the lessons.”

A second grade teacher described her experience: “I feel like a lot of students try to pick and choose what they want to care about. If it isn’t a fun activity, it is really hard to get them to participate and pay attention even if it is a necessary skill for them to learn and to be successful.”

Secondary students also struggle with being motivated. One teacher, who teaches grades 7, 8, and 9, remarked, “I see students that are coming to school to earn a grade, rather than coming to school to learn. Very few students see the purpose of learning to grow.”

What is causing this massive lack of motivation among students today? Perhaps many of these students are experiencing difficulties in other areas of their lives, and school has become something they dread rather than look forward to. Maybe students today are so used to getting instant gratification from their various devices that traditional methods of learning just aren’t as exciting for them anymore. Could it even be that students’ schedules are so full that school has become just one more thing on their “I don’t want to do this but have to do this” list? 

Lack of motivation could stem from any number of reasons. But one thing is for certain: motivation is something that students will need to use for the rest of their lives. They have to figure out what drives them and pushes them to learn and get things done… even if it’s doing something they don’t really want to do. I often tell my own children that, “sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do, and that’s ok!”

As a teacher, having students who just aren’t motivated to learn and/or work can be very frustrating. You can’t force a student to learn, and external motivators and rewards will only get you so far. So what do you do, then, when a student loses their motivation? 

The teachers that were polled are doing great things to try and combat lack of motivation in their classrooms. One second grade teacher said, “I try to make my lessons as engaging as I can, but with all new curriculum that is very scripted, it is really hard! I try to talk to them in a more “adult” way and explain why they should care about a certain activity or how I am still using a certain skill in my life as an adult and how they would need it too. I have taken a class on gamification and I have also received my technology endorsement so I try to implement and utilize technology in a meaningful way that engages, but most importantly, helps teach and reinforce. I have a lot of different management tools I implement (class jars, class money, table points, secret students, etc.) to help them stay focused and on task.”

Another teacher, who teaches grades 10-12 shared, “I scaffold or model the tasks and encourage them to develop the skills to learn how to manage these issues for themselves.”

A sixth grade teacher explained, “With the… motivation issues, I push my kids hard and hold them to high expectations… If they choose to sit around at school and waste the time, the assignment doesn’t just disappear. I’m trying to help them see the satisfaction in finishing and doing a good job!”

These are all great ideas! While the ultimate solution has to come from within each student, teachers and other adults and help students see the value in a job well done. Teachers have an incredibly awesome opportunity to help students understand just how powerful their minds can be. Once a student makes up their mind to be motivated and can truly see the value of learning and trying, amazing things start to happen, and the whole world opens up!

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Students and the Challenges They Face

It isn’t a secret that today’s students face many challenges. Many of these challenges are unique to this generation, while others are the same kinds of challenges that students have faced for years. Regardless the challenge, students need support and guidance on how to navigate these problems. I polled eleven teachers over a variety of grade levels to get an idea of what they are seeing in their classrooms, and how they are helping their students face these trying issues. Over the next few posts, I’m going to dive into the results of that poll and share what current teachers are doing in their classrooms to combat these challenges. 

First, a little background on the poll, questions asked, and the basic results.

In my poll, I gave teachers a list of challenges kids today might face, and asked them to check the box next to anything on that list that they see in their classrooms. That list included time management, family hardships, mental health, access to technology (too much or too little), financial strain, inadequate resources, test anxiety, distractions, lack of motivation, procrastination, lack of support at home or school, and inadequate physical care (food insecurity, lack of medical care, poor hygiene, etc.). Teachers were also given space to write any challenges they have seen that were not on my list. 

Then, from the boxes that they checked, I asked teachers to list the top three challenges they see in their classrooms, and explain what specifically they see happening. I then asked teachers to explain what is being done in general (by state, district, school, etc.) to combat these problems, and what they are specifically doing with their own students to alleviate these challenges. 

It was interesting to see the results of the poll. Problems I assumed would be more common turned out to not really even be a concern to most teachers, and problems I assumed wouldn’t be a big deal turned out to be bigger problems than I thought. I learned that certain issues aren’t confined to one particular age demographic, and that students of all grades and ages are experiencing many of the same challenges. 

So what did the teachers say? 

Of the teachers polled, an astounding 100% of them listed lack of motivation as one of the top challenges students today face! Coming in tied for second place, was 81% of teachers indicating that their students struggled with distractions and access to technology. 

Come along as I explore these results a little deeper and figure out what can be done to help today’s kids rise above and face these challenges!

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Effective Lesson Planning

Lesson plans: the bane of many teachers’ careers. They can be tedious, time consuming, and honestly, a bit of a pain to prepare. A seasoned teacher may be able to go without a structured, written lesson plan, but for many not-so-seasoned teachers, this isn’t the case, and a written plan is very helpful. So, with that being said, what makes an effective lesson plan? There isn’t one right or wrong way to plan a lesson, but there are certain components that should remain fairly consistent from one lesson plan to the next: objective/goal, lesson materials, timeline, assessment, differentiation, and closure.

Objective or Goal

Every lesson should have some sort of end goal in mind. When we begin with the end in mind, it allows us to plan our activities, lessons, and assessments accordingly. When we know what goal we want to reach, we can more effectively plan how we are going to reach that goal. Most states have a set of core standards that teachers are to cover over the course of the school year. The objective or goal for the lesson is a great place to list the core concept(s) that will be covered in any given lesson, and to prepare lessons that will effectively meet the concept(s) being taught. 

Lesson Materials

It’s a great idea to list the materials you will need for a particular lesson. Some days, you will only need a textbook and copies of a worksheet. Others, you may need art supplies for students to use to complete their assignment. Whatever it is that you need, it’s very helpful to write down the things you need to gather. It serves as a great reminder, and even the act of writing it down can give your mind the reminder it needs. In the event that you have to unexpectedly leave your classroom, it will also help the substitute know what supplies they will need. 

TImeline

Creating a basic timeline of activities and information to be covered can help the lesson move smoothly. It’s a good idea to avoid jumping around from topic to topic; having an outline of events can greatly aid the continuity and overall smoothness of the lesson itself. Creating a timeline can also help you prioritize what you’d like to cover during the lesson. If it’s important to get a particular topic covered during the day, planning for that to be the first thing you teach can help ensure that happens. 

Assessment

Another very important part of lesson planning is to plan for assessments: how are you going to know that students “got it?” That may look like a formal assessment in the form of a test, quiz, or worksheet. It could also look like a question and answer time the end of the lesson, where you obtain verbal confirmation of knowledge from your students. It could be a quick walk through the room as they take notes or work on a project. The assessment portion of the lesson will vary from day to day, from lesson to lesson. It doesn’t need to be a big, grand assignment, but there should be some kind of way to make sure you know that your students got something out of the lesson. 

Differentiation

Not every student learns in the same way. What resonates with one student may not resonate with their classmate. It is also crucial to consider students who have IEPs, 504 plans, or other needs. Building this into the lesson plan will help remind teachers to take those students into consideration and to plan ahead for those needs that will arise. Everyone deserves a chance to learn, and some just need a little extra help and guidance… and that’s okay!

Closure

Every lesson has to come to an end, so there should be some form of closure. Having smooth transitions from one lesson to the next can help students better follow your instruction. Many times, the assessment is a good time to provide closure for the lesson. Having students fill out an “exit ticket” as they end the class is a great way to close the lesson and also get a quick idea of what they learned for the day. Doing a quick verbal review and a quick reminder of things to come is also a great way to close out a lesson. Smooth transitions and nice closure help students to move on to the next activity, assignment, lesson, or class.

While there really is not one set way to lesson plan, these few things are great elements that every plan ought to include. Planning out a lesson sets you up for a more successful lesson and helps to avoid potential chaos. Preparation is key, and can set a great example to your students!

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Student Food Pantries and Wellness Rooms: A Beacon of Light

It’s no secret that it’s downright hard to be a kid or teen in today’s world. There are so many things pulling for their attention and time, and basic needs shouldn’t be something they need to worry about. But for many kids, obtaining basic necessities are a cause of worry. Families experiencing financial hardship, homelessness, or domestic abuse, among other things, often have a difficult time providing the most basic human needs— food, clothing, hygiene items, and laundry facilities. 

No one should have to go without these things. Thankfully, many schools across the nation have implemented in-school food pantries and wellness rooms— a place students can go, free of charge, no questions asked, to get the things they need. 

These pantries provide snacks and other foods that students can take home with them so they don’t have to go hungry. Many schools offer both non-perishable and perishable foods and ingredients to prepare basic meals. 

One high school in Utah went a step further than just providing food and set up a teen room, which they call The Hub. Students can make an appointment to visit The Hub and can get food, hygiene items (soap, shampoo, toothbrush/paste, feminine hygiene products, and deodorant), clothing (socks, underwear/bras, shirts, and pants), and household items (toilet paper, paper towels, washcloths, towels, and blankets). They even have a washer and dryer on site for students to do their laundry during school hours. 

In addition to providing for the physical needs of their students, this high school also has a wellness room where students can go if they need a break and need to calm down. It’s a quiet place for students to regroup, do homework, or relax. What an amazing resource for these students! In a time of life when there are so many uncertainties and stressors, this school has seen a need and has sought to alleviate some stress for its students in need. 

This school is not the only school that hosts a program like this; they are just one example of the good that is out there and the love and concern for today’s youth. Thankfully, rooms like this seem to be on the rise as more and more schools become increasingly aware of the number of students whose physical needs are not being met. We know that when physical needs are met, other needs thrive too.

These programs and rooms are largely operated via donations and generosity from the public. Some schools work in connection with local food pantries and coalitions. Whatever the source of the necessities, it is heartwarming to see individuals and businesses share their resources to care for the youth in their communities. 

To find out if there are schools in your area that have programs or resources to combat food insecurity, contact your local food bank or local schools. 

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Overbooked and stressed out: Are we doing our kids a disservice?

Every parent wants to raise confident, well rounded children. We want to give our children the growing up experience they deserve. So many parents want their children to play a sport, learn a musical instrument, be at the top of their class, and be involved in other school sponsored extra curricular activities. And while all of these activities are good things to want your child to be involved in, at what cost does that involvement come? Are we overbooking our children, causing them to be stressed out and too busy? 

There are many benefits to having your child involved in extra curricular activities. Those activities can teach children things that just can’t be taught as well in the classroom— things like how to be a good sport, being part of a team, and how to manage your time effectively. Friendships can form. Kids can learn to be disciplined and what it takes to improve at something. Music lessons can help students in their academic studies and can boost creativity. Martial arts can help kids learn self defense, respect, and determination. Extra curricular activities are also a great way to boost confidence in children and teens. They can see their hard work pay off and they can feel good about their accomplishments. 

But what happens when the extra “stuff” becomes too much? Parents want their children to be involved and to develop their talents, but it often comes at a cost. Kids need time to just be kids. They need time to decompress from their day, and need a chance to slow down. If they are overbooked with extra activities and responsibilities, those chances to slow down become few and far between. Oftentimes, we see academic success and progress suffering at the hand of too many extra curricular activities. Opportunities for non-extracurricular social interaction lessen. Sleep deprivation can come into play when students are so overbooked that they don’t get to their homework until late at night, which then can bleed into poor academic performance because their young brains are not functioning at full capacity when they are already tired and overworked, not to mention the toll that poor sleep habits have on cognitive function during the daytime. 

I am constantly in awe and disbelief at the teenagers in my neighborhood. They are all doing incredible things, and it is remarkable to see their talents bloom. That being said, I know it comes at a great cost. One girl a few houses down from me is a competitive dancer. After school most days of the week, she heads from school to home, just to turn around and head to the dance studio for the next few hours of her night. On Wednesdays, she finishes dance at 6:30, then promptly heads to her church congregation’s youth activity for the week, which usually lasts until 8-8:30. Once that is over, she can head home and do her homework and get some down time before heading to bed just to start it all over again the next morning. I’m exhausted just writing this! 

I don’t know if there are any easy solutions to this dilemma. What I do know is that young minds are precious and should be treated with care. It is essential to find a decent balance between being involved and being too involved. For some families, that may look like cutting out extra curricular activities all together. For others, it might mean cutting back on how many extra activities they are involved in, or maybe cutting back from participating in competitive teams and sticking only to school or city recreation teams. Some families may have magically figured out the perfect routine and balance that works for them (lucky!). 

Whatever the case may be, there is much to be considered when putting children and teens into extra curricular activities. There really isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. But one thing is certain: we need to be sure to look out for the well being of our rising generation, and need to make sure they are healthy and well!

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I Spy: Thanksgiving

Can you believe that Thanksgiving Day is less than two weeks away?! It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is already upon us. I’ve created a free printable activity for you to use in your classrooms or homes. Simply have your children or students write on the lines at the bottom of the page the amount of each item they find. Click on the “download” button below to save and print a copy (or two!) for the kids in your life. You can print one off and laminate it, then have your kids use dry erase markers to write the number of items they find. You can also print off several copies and use them as a counting activity in your classrooms. Whatever way you choose to use it, have fun! Please only use for personal or classroom use, and do not sell the file. Happy I-Spying!

Thanksgiving I SpyDownload
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Why Teaching is a Good Idea: Part 2

In my last post, I talked about five reasons it’s a good idea to become a teacher. You can find that post here. Today, I’ll talk about five more reasons and hopefully convince a few of you that teaching really is the coolest job on the planet!

Reason #6: Students aren’t the only ones learning

One of the unexpected parts of teaching is that the teacher isn’t always the one instructing. Students can impart so much knowledge and wisdom to their teachers as well as to their fellow classmates. The kids you teach can contribute when they do research projects, writing assignments, or any other number of tasks. Students can also help their teachers translate modern slang terms— a somewhat silly, but helpful way they can teach their teachers. Students can share their opinions and viewpoints, giving teachers new ways to think about things. I remember having my students write a journal about how they felt about writing, and one student responded with, “I love to write because I can say more with my pen than I ever could with my mouth.” What a powerful thought! It has stuck with me for over ten years and I think about it often about the power of writing. Students really do have a unique way of teaching their teachers.

Reason #7: The schedule is family friendly

For parents who are also teachers, the schedule offers great opportunities for family time. For the most part, holidays and other days that teachers have off will coincide with days that students have off. Even the day to day schedule often falls in line (or at least very closely) with when kids start and end school. Summers off also allow teachers to spend time with their families, and, for some families, that extra time greatly decreases the need for childcare during the summer months. Teachers don’t have to work graveyard shifts, and their contract time is consistent, making it easy to plan for appointments and other responsibilities. 

Reason #8: A creative outlet 

One of my favorite parts of teaching was getting to use my creativity. It was so much fun planning lessons and activities that I knew my students would love. I got to decorate my classroom how I wanted. Rather than following a set script, I was able to teach in my own way. Obviously, there was a core curriculum I needed to stick to and teach, but for the most part, how I taught that material was up to me. 

Reason #9: A chance for continual learning

Because an educator’s license isn’t good forever, teachers have the chance to attend workshops, conferences, and classes to acquire the needed points to keep their licenses up to date. While this might seem like a dreaded part of teaching to some, it’s really not all that terrible. As educators, aren’t we always promoting the importance of learning? Aren’t we trying to instill in our students the idea that learning is positive and powerful and can take you so far in life? So why wouldn’t we want the same opportunity? The chance to continue your learning is such a privilege. The fact that teachers are pretty much required to attend these extra classes and conferences is actually a really cool thing. The needs of our students change over time, so our teaching practices should change over time, and one of the best ways to stay up to date with teaching practices that are helpful for today’s children is by continuing to learn and research. 

Reason #10: Fun is encouraged

I don’t know of a single student who enjoys sitting through a day at school that isn’t engaging and fun in some way. Students crave fun. I think it would also be safe to say that teachers need fun in their classrooms, too. I think so often we assume that the “fun” lessons are mainly for elementary grades. Having many years of experience teaching junior high aged students, I can assure you that older students also enjoy having fun at school! Teachers can, and should, find ways to incorporate fun into their lessons and activities. That’s not to say that every day has to be an all out fun fest from start to finish, because I just don’t know if that’s feasible. But there should be some amount of fun in every school day. 

I realize that teaching isn’t for everyone. I don’t think there is a single job on this planet that is for everyone. And that’s ok! Everyone has different skills, talents, abilities, preferences, dislikes, and interests that make them who they are.

Teaching, for me, has always been more than just a job. Sure there are long days filled with grading, planning, and paper work. But overall, it’s a job that is rewarding and filled with so much fun and happiness. The rising generation needs good, solid, trusted adults to help and guide them, and teaching is an incredible way to provide those adults. To teach is to change lives, and that’s a pretty amazing opportunity!