Motivate That Child!

Happy Saturday Peeps!

I'm linking up today with Joanne from Head Over Heels For Teaching for her Spark Student Motivation Saturdays.

So I have this one, difficult-to-get-know, doesn't-do-the-homework, doesn't-participate, turns-in-crappy-work student.

It's been a struggle to get this student to take his time and do 4th grade work and participate.

But we've turned a corner.

He is slowly turning in more thoughtful work.

He is slowly raising his hand more often. (and the whole class applauds him when he does)

And I (GASP!) even got a homework paper from him this week!

What did I do.... (and some of you will probably not approve)


....bribery.

Yep, I'm bribing this student to do his work correctly and to take his time.

See, he LOVES to read. If he has a really good day, he can take one of my books home for the night (something that no one else is allowed to do).

I even took it a step further. I hand him a book club catalog, tell him to pick anything under $6, and he is consistently has good days and turns in quality work, he will earn the book he picked out.

(I buy the book and hold onto it, so he can see it-which motivates him to do better).

So, I'm bribing this kid to do his work, which is awful-but it's the only thing I've found. He didn't want anything else-talks don't work, extra recess doesn't work, computer time doesn't work.

I recommend, as a last resort...bribery.

But hey, this kid is managing to show proof of learning (and I kind of think that to him-this whole thing is some kind of game...but he is super hard to read and get to know), and he will manage to pass 4th grade-despite his efforts not to turn in any work.

So what works for you?

Go link up!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn


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