How To Motivate Students Part I

In the next several Bright Spot Reports, I would like to give you some proven techniques to motivate students to achieve at a greater level. We will share with you the same methodologies that we have used in the classrooms through the Youth With A Purpose Relationship Mentoring Program.

A YWAP Relationship Mentor raising the bar at a Buffalo School.

Elevation Motivation

In the beginning of our program we concentrate simply on building rapport with the students. We let the young people know that we believe that they are capable of understanding advanced material that is generally reserved for college students. We paint them a picture of where they will be after our program. They are told to picture themselves as college students. At YWAP we call this process “Elevation Motivation.” This has a huge impact on the student’s level of confidence and self esteem. Our intent is to elevate the student’s belief in themselves and their capabilities.

The YWAP Weight Lifter Program Part I

The YWAP Weight Lifter Program is designed to lift emotional weights that hold students back from achieving at their highest level. Each student is given a post it note and a small (2-5 lb.) weight. On the note they are told to write down whatever weight they are carrying inside them. The weight may be something that somebody did to them or something they did to somebody else. We all have weights that weigh us down. The students are told that they can use either end of the pen to write down their weight. If they are nervous about somebody seeing what they wrote, they can write it invisibly with the top of the pen. The YWAP Mentor then encourages the students to physically feel the weight lifted off of their chest as they hand their weights with the note attached to the Mentor.

Many times there are tears that follow the release of the weights. Students who feel like sharing their weights verbally with the class are encouraged to do so. The sharing opens up bridges of positive peer influence as each student finds out they are not alone in carrying weights. Many of the weights they carry are similar. As they share their common stories, a bonding begins to take place and they relax in the revelation that they are not alone in their troubles.

A student who has learned how to deal

with emotional stress and pressure,

will have more freedom to

focus on academic achievement.

We mentor one moment at a time.

(Part II of the YWAP Weight Lifter Program deals with becoming stronger through our struggles.)

Go do something nice for somebody.

Bob Kuebler

YWAP Director

Youth With A Purpose

In School & After School

In The Mountains & In The Hood

716-830-8240

"All Children Are Gifted"

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