QTC: Chapter 11

I believe in my first year of teaching, I will be using many different strategies to enhance motivation in my students. I will still be learning what works best for my students, and how to best implement certain strategies. One point I find interesting from Chapter 11 is the view on different goals students might have when working on a particular situation. It would be very helpful for myself, as well as my students, to do some sort of check-in so that we can all determine where our goals are for a particular subject. Learning the specific goals of each child will determine my further actions to motivate them to reach their goals. I understand that I will have a mixed bag of students who will all be reaching goals in their own way. Another point I really connected with from the chapter was the multiple points on Fostering Expectancies and Values in the Classroom. As the teacher, it is my job to show and teach students how to be motivated about classroom material. As the teacher, I am the model for the children, and should model a high value for academics, one which I want to convey to my students. I have learned through many different situations that the teacher should reflect the same attitude they want their students to have; whether it is about a certain activity, transition, or even attending school. 

With that being said, the section about Expectancies and Values is one that will be most helpful to me in the future. I felt like this section presented the material in a way that was easy to understand without mixing in many new vocabulary words. I also felt like I related most to this section, and I could think about many ways I could implement these strategies in my future classroom, and even now at my job. I work with second - fifth graders everyday, and I find this material about motivation interesting. I wonder if I can begin trying out certain motivation techniques with the children I work with. I typically see children who have no interest to complete their homework outside of school. I have tried many ways to help these students realize the importance of doing their homework, and especially doing their homework early so they have plenty of time later to relax and play. I always hated the idea of homework looming over my head as a child, but I also did not want to do it as soon as I got home.So, I understand how these students feel; however I want to transfer to them some sort of motivation to get their work done early.