A practical, effect approach to student motivation – excerpts from the book The
Motivation Breakthrough by Richard Lavoie
The Motivating Classroom – The six “C’s”
Creativity
Community – inclusive, responsive, contemplative and safe.
Clarity – Teach your expectation and classroom and school procedures on a
daily basis. Practice the procedures.
Coaching – a good coach:
wants all his players to win,
knows all his players,
designs individual and group goals,
uses the player’s strengths,
works on each players weaknesses,
knows the opponent (ADD, distractibility, sequencing deficits etc)
Applies and practices new skills
Constantly evaluates and adjusts.
Conferencing – ongoing and meaningful positive reinforcement between you and
the student set on a regular basis.
Control – Children have a natural human need to exert some degree of control
over their environment – allowing the student to have a choice or make a
decision – when appropriate- they are more likely to be responsive and
cooperative. You can share control without loosing any of your own and give the
student a sense of independence and autonomy
Characteristics of a motivating classroom
Relevance
Control
Balance of support and challenge
Social interaction
Safety and security