9 Motivating and Meaningful Things Students Can Do

Toni Enloe
Jun 01, 2009

One Connections reader recently asked, "How do we motivate students who have all the advantages but are content to just 'float along'... content with mediocrity?"  Examining the tasks that we ask our students to complete can provide us with the answers.  Do the tasks help students make connections to their world? If the answer is "no", students may become unmotivated and bored. Activities that help students make authentic and meaningful connections (Level 3 in the LEARNING-FOCUSED Strategies Model) solidify learning for our students. In an article by John Lounsbury, "Understanding and Appreciating the Wonder Years", he identifies several characteristics that may help guide us in designing mean ingful learning experiences for our students.  Based on research of young adolescents, Lounsbury identified the following generalizations about 10-15 year olds.

  • They are by nature explorers, curious and adventuresome.

  • They have intellectual capacities seldom tapped by traditional schooling.

  • They learn best through interaction and activity rather than by listening.

  • They seek interaction with adults and opportunities to engage in activities that have inherent value.

When students can make connections, they begin to see the value of their newly acquired knowledge beyond the school setting.


Meaningful Activities for Students:


1.  Read aloud to younger students.  Former middle school teacher, Mary Leslie Anderson, decided to have her struggling readers read to K-2 students at a local elementary school for Dr. Seuss's birthday.  Many of these students had younger siblings at home that they cared for after school, so the goals included having students read with fluency and build confidence in their own abilities. About one month out, students spent a few minutes each week reading their self selected picture books to adult volunteers.  When the day arrived to travel to the elementary school, a nervous group of 8th graders gathered for the walk.  When they returned, they were asked to reflect on their experience.  Many said tha t they were initially anxious about reading in front of others but enjoyed it and wanted the opportunity to do it again.  Mrs. Anderson observed, "I really saw many benefits to the students who participated in the reading project.  Students showed an increase in their self-esteem and reading fluency while demonstrating the ability to take charge of their own learning as they prepared the project."

2.  Create a team or class newspaper and place them in local businesses.

3.  Have students publish a literary magazine.

4.  Design informational brochures for the local Chamber of Commerce that highlight historical attractions.

5.  Have students design or maintain the school website that includes student art, writing and accomplishments.

6.  Create picture books for younger children on topics in science, math, and social studies.

7.  Publish a collection of local oral history interviews.  Northwest Middle Sc hool in Travelers Rest, South Carolina had groups of student! s interv iew local community members about topics of historical interest.  A book was published each year for twenty years and now they are producing DVD's using the latest digital technology.  The books and DVD's are sold in the community to support the program.  In the process of researching, interviewing, writing, storyboarding, etc. the students cover a wide range of academic skills.  One of the greatest benefits for students is seeing their work being shared with an audience beyond the classroom.

8.  Participate in Elementary Science and Math Fun Day activities.  Many elementary schools have days devoted to science and math where students participate in relevant and fun activities.  Offer to let older students design and conduct the activities with younger children.

9.  Have students teach their parents.  Use PTA nights to focus on specific subjects, and have students take their parents through some of the learning experiences.

When students know their work is going to be seen, read, or heard by others, their enthusiasm and motivation increase building their confidence through competence.
For innovative ideas on making meaningful, personal connections, you may want to review the Scaffolding Grade Level Learning book!

Special thanks to Lynn Duncan, Northwest Middle School and Mary Leslie Anderson, Greenville High School, Greenville County Schools, SC, for their contributions.