Motivation....Hmmmmm........

How to motivate students is always an interesting issue in a first grade classroom! I use anything and everything to get my students interest! Two things I did this year were book buddies and a home school connection. My home school connection is Spots! He has his own book, journal, and zoo bag. He is the character from the book Put Me In the Zoo. When he comes to school each year he is introduced by getting into mischief each night when we are home. For instance students come in and discover him in a box full of cubes scattered all over the room! Then after a week I take him home come back with a star student poster and read them the journal of my adventures with spots! They love him and can't wait for their turn to take him home! All through the week he is a special friend to read to and students work very hard so they can read to him. We also had a special box of book buddies and books which could only be read with these buddies! This book box usually has kid magazines, special books of interest,picture books and easy readers. I tried to have some of everything so students could feel successful with their reading. They also had freedom to read anywhere in the room as long as not disturbing others work. These helped motivate my students to read and these were available for all students. Motivation in first grade varies from group to group. What works with one may not with another. The key I think is observation, flexibility, and keeping an open mind.