Connection Between Lack of Motivation and Behavior Issues

As I listened to our discussion yesterday, I noticed two strong themes. 1. A lack of motivation/interest/desire for learning among a unfortunately large number of our students. 2. A concern that too many of our students are not following the basic procedures. (ie., take the hat off, sit down, put the ipod away.) This got me to thinking that there is probably a fair bit of overlap between the two groups of students. If some of these students regained/began to have an interest in being a life-long learner--whether they are turned on to a topic or at least saw that they needed a certain amount of knowledge or skills for college or a job--then the amount of their inappropriate behaviors would go down. Simply put, they wouldn't have as much time for them. How can we, then, help them to regain that spark. After I have time to reflect on this I will try to post a few ideas, but I'm sure the group has many ideas to share.

Hello to All

Like most of you, I seem to be running a tad bit behind, however, I finally made time to set up my account. Now I can blog with the rest of you. I haven't gotten too far in my book, but will do much reading during the holiday break. Hope to see you on Tuesday, 21 Dec.

Thank you! Thank you!

Thank you for posts and comments...
I am looking forward to reading every one's discussions and to seeing folks at our December 21st meeting. Some have said things are just too busy, right now. So, please encourage everyone to attend our "short" meeting before the holidays. I hope everyone gets on board with the blog during some leisurely time off (did I say, "leisurely?") - ha!
More later -

What a wonderful idea

Jo,
Thanks for creating this page for us to read and "talk" about our book. I have always wanted us to have discussions about what is happening in our classes in relationship to what the experts in the field have to say about education. If only the people who make the decisions would listen to the people who have to implement them, we would be in better shape to deal with the real issues in education.

Finally A Blog!

Hi Folks!
I decided to go back to the web site I established while participating in the STEP grant two years ago. Wow! My STEP blog was still there, and so I opened this one. I added all of your names. You each will have received an invitation unless I typed or copied something incorrectly. Let me know if one of our cohorts has not received an invite to be a contributor.

Please add some thoughts prior to our next meeting on Tuesday, December 21, 2010, at 2:45-3:45. Those who attended will vouch for the timeframe - we did not go past the time noted at our November meeting. And, yes, there will be refreshments at this next gathering!

I am using the "No Opt Out" technique fairly successfully. However, there is one kiddo I just can't budge. She rarely responds to any questions, even to state her name. She's extremely quiet and non-verbal. My recent attempt to bring her into the conversation while using "No Opt Out" suddenly provoked a very loud, "NO!" Meaning, of course, she was not going to repeat anything. Hmm. Was that a successful response? Knowing this child as well as I do after two years, I would have to say a resounding, "Yes!" Sometimes, our successes come in disguise.