Keeping Students Motivated in the classroom

   As each new teacher steps into their classroom on their first day on the job they wonder how they will keep all students motivated within the classroom. In this blog I will give a few examples of how I plan to manage my classroom, but I will always keep in mind that I have to be flexible and if it doesn't work, I need to be willing to change it.  
I believe that if you build a sense of trust in your classroom and treat the Ss with respect, keep the content relative for easier understanding and continue to assess their understanding at least once a week in manners other than tests the motivation of the students will not be a factor.
 As a teacher I will need to watch carefully the language used to ensure that it is not above my students ZPD, thus grasping a better understanding of the content. Making learning more relative can come in many forms, in doing this is where my background knowledge of each student will be beneficial. I will have a better understanding of my students ZPD's and work within those means so all students will be actively mentally engaged in the classroom.
To ensure all students are motivated I would portray a respectful, safe and caring environment that each student will enjoy coming to class each day waiting to see what we are going to be doing next. Sometimes I feel this may be a stretch to think I can pull this off, but I believe in seeing many classes firsthand I know what kids will respond to and in what ways.
I believe that the way the classroom environment is set up on the first day will tell wether or not your classroom management skills will work. Seating arrangements need to be thought out. A classroom that has rows vs pods. In the rowed classroom children who are seated further back from the teacher is much easier distracted and there is less stimulation going on as they are further from the teacher, although if you are a great teacher, you will not be in the front of the classroom very much as you will be circulating around the class. 
One of the most important things to do on the first day of class is be organized!! This includes all of the following and then some!  Always BE FLEXIBLE!

• Brainstorm class expectations
• Arrange desks
• Pin up bulletin boards, notices, etc.
• Write lesson plans for the first week OVERPLAN to have something to fall back on 
• Duplicate materials for first week
• Write daily schedule, date, and your name on the board
• Prepare files for parent correspondence, school bulletins, and sub teachers

1. Know what you want and what you don't want.
2. Model for your students what you want.
3. When you get what you want, acknowledge (not praise) it.If used to often praise will soon become devalued.4. When you get something else, act quickly and appropriately.

    I have had previous students from 7/8 years back that I taught with respect and nurturing environment and got to know their families etc. that still as they see me now come up hug me, thank me for being tough on them as we sit back and recall some of the things they did when they were with me. I think this is just one type of proof that I know how to handle the students as they walk in the first day Here you will find a few ideas for great classroom management that work in all classrooms. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCuYH6b-o2E