Are you looking for hacks to motivate students to be prepared for learning experiences? If so, keep reading.
1. Gather anecdotal information on the student’s tardy behavior. If a trend can be determined, remove the student from the situation and/or help the student be encouraged.
2. Make sure the student is properly placed according to their capacity and ability level in those classes in which they are enrolled.
3. Minimize the emphasis on competition. Repeated failure may cause the student to avoid being on time for learning activities that are competitive.
4. Teach the student how to use a calendar to acknowledge upcoming learning activities that are not part of the daily routine (schedule) (e.g., Tuesday at 12:00, field trip to the zoo, etc.).
5. Provide instructions in a compassionate rather than a menacing manner (e.g., “Please come to your reading group now.” rather than “You had better come to your reading group or else!” etc.).
6. Provide the student a special responsibility before the group meets (e.g., sharpening pencils, arranging chairs, passing out books, etc.).
7. Utilize a timer to help the student know how much time they have to follow through with instructions.
8. Always treat the student with the utmost respect. Talk objectively at all times.
9. Do not embarrass the student by giving them orders, requirements, etc., in front of others.
10. Make sure the student knows how to tell time and has a comprehension of their daily routine (schedule).
11. Give the student a schedule of activities for the day to keep at their desk. Make notes of any special learning materials needed for a learning experience.
12. Make sure the student has a working watch or clock available to encourage them to start a learning experience.
13. Along with instruction, give an incentive statement (e.g., “On occasions where you come to your reading group, you may pass out the books.” “Please come to your reading group early to help arrange the chairs.” etc.).
14. Let logical consequences happen as a result of the student’s failure to be ready for a learning experience at a specific time (e.g., miss a school assembly, miss the bus, late for class, etc.).
15. Teach the student organizational skills (e.g., before leaving the classroom, make sure learning materials are put away; bring all the appropriate learning materials; arrive five minutes early; etc.).
16. Teach the student to use a pocket calendar to record specific times, places, and learning activities that need to be remembered.
17. Consider using an education app to help the student sharpen their organizational skills. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
