Motivating Adolescent Learners with Literacy Night: Course Readings, Lesson Plans, Theory, and Well, Little Red Balloons to the Rescue

First of all, I rarely frequent Family Dollar, but they have balloons. The contact high was also palpable, as the store had that special stench in every aisle I perused in search of the balloons. It was a $1.50 well spent, and a special shout-out to the Class of 2006 who were only motivated by keeping a balloon in the air and learning conversationally, rather than with a text. You do what you have to do to keep kids engaged and curious of the content to be delivered. 

Students came to class last night, across a variety of content areas, and began the night with questions to be answered, all the while keeping the red balloons in the air. I liked the carnival atmosphere and enjoyed the smiles they had on their faces and the fact they didn't want to end the activity (I've found this to be true with most audiences). We moved to course readings, more textual lineages, and then the content-specific lessons they created for reading Victory Stand: Raising My Fist for Justice.

The students also did a psychological questionnaire online to get feedback on what motivates them best, and what kind of 'doer' they are. I'm in the middle and tend to be motivated by joy (hence the balloons) and an intrinsic drive that isn't bothered much my extrinsic awards or being criticized. I just am who I am. I'm Popeye, I guess. 

This morning I'm out in schools. I will have a fantastic lunch to applaud an amazing staff member who is retiring, and I will come home to motivate myself to start grading the big projects that arrived this week. I will also try to find a way to unwind and sleep properly, as I'm spent.

It's Wednesday. And I hear the temperatures are about to climb. I can't wait to get out of the wet, cold cycle we've encountered throughout January/February. 

Cheers. Get yourself a balloon.