Motivating Primary-Grade Students

What is that intangible force that makes some classrooms positively buzz with interest, attention, and excitement about learning? While motivation can't easily be quantified, few would dispute its essential role in promoting academic engagement and achievement. This uniquely practical book is the first how-to guide on motivating students in grades K-3. Presented are research-based strategies and techniques that are brought to life in three extended case studies of highly successful motivators. Vividly demonstrating how these exemplary teachers flood their classrooms with motivation, the book provides inspiration and practical ideas that readers can implement in their own work. It also guides teachers in recognizing and avoiding key pitfalls--the attitudes, instructional methods, and classroom management approaches that may inadvertantly undermine student motivation.

Michael Pressley, PhD (deceased), was University Distinguished Professor, Director of the Doctoral Program in Teacher Education, and Director of the Literacy Achievement Research Center at Michigan State University.

Sara E. Dolezal, Lisa M. Raphael, and Lindsey Mohan are graduate students in the College of Education at Michigan State University.

Alysia D. Roehrig, PhD, recently completed her doctorate in psychology at the University of Notre Dame.

Kristen Bogner is a graduate student in school psychology at the University of Minnesota.