How do you motivate weak students?

Answer 1

It is the goal of all teachers to motivate all students. Doing so is complicated by the individuality of each student. No two people are motivated in the same ways. One common way to facilitate motivation, however, is to focus on the positive. Take the time to recognize when each student finds success. This can be as easy as a note or emoticon on a paper or assignment (even for high school students), or verbal recognition in class.

For middle school students, I used to do in class review before tests. I asked questions, and students raised there hands. The first hand up was called upon (those who answered a question correctly had to refrain for three questions after). Correct answers were rewarded with a small prize (candy, pencils and pens, novelty items). Students were required to save their prizes until the end of class. I kept new books and larger items in my cupboard that smaller prizes for which smaller prizes could be exchanged. My last year in class, I gave out Popsicle sticks instead of the smaller prizes, and let students exchange for "store" items. Most students learned to save up sticks for the bigger exchanges, and this served as a learning experience in minor economics and budgeting as well.

The thought here is that minor rewards build, and students have a visual/physical means of tracking success. By engaging the entire class, competition is created, and students begin to compete with themselves (internal competition--seeking self-improvement). This leads to the primary goal of all teachers, helping students become self-motivated learners. Moving from the external to the internal.