Motivation Mastery!
Sparking Student Success One Step at a Time.
Imagine a classroom where students want to learn, and tackle challenges with confidence.
That’s the magic of Motivation. And it happens when we combine the Art of Teaching with the Science of People to help our students take control of their success. Here’s how it works:
“I Control My Success.” - Teach it constantly.
Success isn’t about being lucky or “smart”—it’s about what we do.
For example, a student who asks for help when they don’t understand a math problem realizes they can improve through effort, not just luck. When students see that their actions (like studying or reaching out for help) lead to success, they understand they can repeat it.
Having control builds confidence and motivation.
Small Wins, Big Confidence
Start with lots of small wins.
Imagine a student working through a slightly tricky science experiment and getting it right. These “mastery experiences” prove they’re capable, boosting their confidence to take on bigger tasks. It’s all about growth—one step at a time.
Feedback: Focused on Goals and Growth
Feedback should be specific and tied to the student’s goals. Let’s say a student is working to improve their writing skills and the teacher gives feedback like, “Great use of descriptive language, and re-working the sentence structure can make it pop!”
Now they know exactly what to focus on. When students understand how their actions impact their progress, they can adjust and improve. This makes learning feel purposeful and fun. Game-like. Leveling up for the bonuses.
But teachers are so rushed, we forget to Tell Them.
And we think, “They should already know that!”
Productive Struggle: Growth Takes Work
When we praise and reinforce hard work, students learn to embrace it instead of avoiding struggles. Picture a student stuck on a tough history question. They keep at it, trying different research strategies, and finally solve it. “Wow, Tommy! That was tough, but you never quit, and you finally got it.” That “productive struggle” builds resilience and teaches them that growth takes work. Plus, we remember hard things!
Revise and Edit. Everything. Repeatedly.
When students reflect on what worked and what didn’t, and then adjust their approach, they find and feel success. For example, a student might try different strategies and still struggle with reading. But when they reach out to a reading buddy who encourages and shows some tips of their own, they improve. This teaches ownership of their learning, shows improvement from effort, and is a lot more fun.
Creating Motivation isn’t just about grades—it’s about building confidence, resilience, and a love of learning. When students understand how to motivate themselves, they’re ready to tackle anything and achieve their best.
All of this requires us, as teachers, to continually reinforce, remind, and encourage, to create Motivation. We must Tell Them explicitly and repeatedly, and Show Them the connections between success and effort.
I wish you well, my friend!
Steven
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