“MOTIVATING” such a widely used term in the field of education, but what does this really mean? Noun1. motivating – the act of motivating; providing incentive, motivation, human action, human activity, act, deed – something that people do or cause to happen; Adj.1.motivating – impelling to action; “it may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function” motivative, motive causative – producing an effect; “disinterest as a causative factor of failure”.
As a teacher for so many years now, I want to share you a technique of motivating the learners at the beginning of school year. I luckily got the idea from a black American teacher who wrote about the worst school she had been assigned to in 1969. Though I forgot her name and her school, I remember, and was guided by her ideas. I’ve been doing this since school year 2005 up to now.
On the first day of school, we have our pupils’ orientation. This is when we introduce to our pupils our self as their new adviser, their new room and new classmates. In line with it, we also discuss the RULES and REGULATIONS they have to obey. But before the clarification of the RULES, we have to make it appoint that they first have to recite an oath, which I call ‘THE PUPILS’ OATH”.
On their first day in our room, they must know why they are there. What are their purposes, and what are the things they should do to be able to get what they want. If those were discussed already, then we can have them read ‘THE PUPILS’ OATH”. This oath is recited by them after every opening prayer in the morning from Monday ‘til Friday.
“I come to school to learn.
And I will learn.
I will have a good day.
I will act in such a way,
That I will be proud of myself;
And others will be proud of me too.”
‘THE PUPILS’ OATH” or the pupils’ promise that they will be doing their best in school to be able to learn and be admired by everyone is such a great motive that will keep them motivated for the whole school year. Is it not a nice way of CATCHING our pupils’ EYES?
By: Marilou T. Pastorfide | Teacher III | Limay Elementary School | Limay, Bataan
