How To Motivate Your Students To Behave Better, Work Harder, Care For Each Other… Or Anything Else You Want From Them

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togethernessLecturing individual students is a common classroom management practice—just another tool in a teacher’s tool belt.

But it’s a colossal mistake, born of frustration, that does nothing to curb unwanted behavior beyond several minutes.

The reason?

When you lecture individual students, it’s done out of anger and not out of a pure intention to help improve behavior.

And students know it.

It causes them to dislike you, lose respect for you, and desire to get even with you—greatly diminishing your influence.

Whole-class lectures, on the other hand, can work miracles.

How To Motivate Their Socks Off

I prefer to call class lectures “motivational speeches” because that’s what they’re designed to do: to motivate students.

Done a certain way, a motivational speech can light a fire under a lazy class, reverse poor attitudes, inspire altruism, or stop unruly behavior in its tracks.

Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Tell them what you don’t like.

Your students will behave/perform better when they know precisely what not to do. To that end, start your speech by pointing out what you’re unhappy with. What are you seeing from your students that you want corrected? Without singling anyone out, cite specific examples.

Step 2: Tell them why it’s wrong.

Explaining why is a powerful persuasion technique. Your students are much more likely to agree with you—and thus change their behavior—if you offer a clear explanation why their behavior is wrong. Make your reasoning brief, direct, and easy to understand.

Step 3: Tell them what you want.

Make clear to your students what you expect from them. In other words, how they should behave. Again, be specific. Show them how you want them to attend during lessons, raise their hand, choose a partner, greet their tablemates, or whatever behavior you want changed.

Step 4: Challenge them.

Ask your students, challenge them, to stand up if they feel like they’re not going to be able to do what you ask—for whatever reason. Tell them that, if this is the case, if they really feel like they can’t do what you expect of them, you want to know now. You don’t want to wait and find out later when you see the same old behavior again.

Step 5: Challenge them again, then finish together.

Challenge your class to stand and gather around you if they are committed to whatever you’re asking of them. If they’re not, tell them to remain seated (they won’t). Extend your hand into the center of the group. Ask them to do the same. Now glance around, looking them in the eyes, and say, “Now I want you to show me, prove to me that you can listen, learn, study, and become the best students you can be.”

Then finish with a bang: “Be the best on three. One…two…three… BE THE BEST!”

Add Your Passion

The above steps won’t work if you just go through the motions. It will be just another lecture, just another teacher droning on, unless you tap into that place deep inside you that believes in an individual’s capacity to overcome obstacles, to rise above their circumstances, to become more than the opinions of others.

You have to believe, to know beyond a doubt, that your students are capable of fulfilling the vision of excellence you have for them. Because if you don’t believe it, they won’t believe it either.

So don’t be afraid to let it out. Don’t be afraid to show your passion for helping students become more than they think they can. Don’t be afraid to show your desire to create your dream class, to make your classroom and this school year a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you and your students.

If you get goose bumps as you look into your students’ eyes, if they look back at you with intensity and determination to be better students, then you know you’re on the right track.

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13 thoughts on “How To Motivate Your Students To Behave Better, Work Harder, Care For Each Other… Or Anything Else You Want From Them”

  1. I have to say I am very impressed with your book and your blog posts. I work with struggling readers, whose real problem is lack of study skills and discipline. My classroom management skills have improved tremendously from your tips and my classroom environment gets better each day. It’s a long road with these kids and with me to make systemic change in how we work together, but it IS working. This is the first classroom management system that has worked for me because it flows nicely with my teaching philosophy and teaching style. Charisma, caring and likeability are essential. Basically, you rock. Happy Halloween!

    Reply

  2. This is an awesome post!
    As a Life Coach focusing on young adults, I completely support the teaching techniques you mention.
    I want to mention that if the students are taught motivation, time management, stress managment, and all of the other essentially helpful life skills, they will naturally become successful students . It would be an amazing combination if the student AND teachers used their skills simultaneously. Educational programs around the world would be enhanced greatly!

    Great Blog Post!

    Reply

  4. Hi Michael,

    I have spent a lot of time reading your suggestions and really appreciate the insight you have to offer. I tried your ‘Motivate their Socks Off’ 5-step approach in my behavioral class and encountered an unpredicted problem. At Step 4, I had two students stand up, indicating that they did not feel they could stop having side conversations during lessons. I then countered by telling them I believed they could if they wanted to. They said they did not want to. I then retracted, and reminded them that decisions such as that would lead them to the consequences listed in our classroom management plan. What would you suggest in this situation?

    Reply

    • Hi Jaela,

      I think they don’t like to be told what to do and are challenging you right back. Could be that they have some animosity toward you. Regardless, in this situation, let them know that if that is their choice, then you have no choice but to inform their parents via a letter home and separate them from their classmates in an extended time-out (for more info see this article series) until they decide that they can refrain from side-talking. You are simply protecting their right and everyone else’s right to learn and enjoy learning without interference.

      Michael

      Reply

  5. Hi mike your motivational talk is realy encouraging, pls it should be included in curriculm so as to make our student fit in in all areas of life.

    Reply

  7. What about adult students who stand up to indicate they can’t do whatever you’re asking? Their parents aren’t involved, or they shouldn’t be.

    Reply

    • Hi Karen,

      I’m not sure what you’re asking. If you like, email me with specifics. I’m happy to help!

      Michael

      Reply

  8. Hi, i appreciate these lessons. I have a 2 grader who talks in class . How do i motivate him to focus, stay quiet and complete his assigments. He does finish all work and is a good student.

    Reply

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