1. Glasser ’ s Choice What motivates my students?

2. Research Quotes ► Information stays in short-term memory only briefly. It moves from short-term to long- term memory only if there a compelling reason to remember the information—a WHY. ► More than ninety percent of our reasons for taking action and remembering –the “ whys ” –occur in the unconscious mind. ► The part of the brain that determines what we remember resides in the same area as emotions. Therefore, if the “ why ” to remember something is linked to emotions, it is more likely to be retained longer than if it is not. ALL LEARNING IS LINKED TO EMOTIONS. Continued in next slide…

3. Research Quotes (Continued from previous slide.) ► Students come to school with their own “ whys ” — emotional reasons for being there. These “ whys ” are basic needs to survive, to belong and love, to gain power, to be free, and to have fun. ► Students possessing negative attitudes toward learning are limited in their ability to transfer their knowledge to new learning situations. ► Teachers can aid students ’ desire to learn, affecting their emotions and attitudes, by addressing students ’ basic needs through what they say and what they do in the classroom.

4. William Glasser ’ s Choice Theory We all make choices according to basic needs that come from within ourselves. The needs drive our choices and influence how we behave in those choices.

6. Fun ► The need for pleasure ► To play ► To laugh ► Naturally motivating ► No one has to bribe you to do these things ► Learning is FUN Try to imagine life without fun…

7. Freedom ► The need for independence ► For autonomy ► For control over one ’ s own life ► For choice Some students have had little experience with choice…

8. Power ► Empowerment ► The need to achieve ► To be recognized for achievement/skills ► To have a sense of self-worth ► To contribute and to be in control ► To be right ► To have strong conviction/debaters What makes your students feel valued?

9. Belonging ► The need for love ► For relationships ► Social connection ► Part of a group ► TO FIT IN! In schools, we must work to make students (parents, teachers) feel they belong…

10. Survival ► Physiological ► The need for food, shelter, safety ► Safe from bullying ► The need for stability without threats ► Anxiety, fear of the unknown, teachers, students, other students Schools should be a safe environment from bodily harm, mental or physical intimidation, abuse.

11. A Compelling Why …is a term used for an emotionally-linked reason or motive that drives a person to make a choice. … ” compels ” us to want to learn something, commit information to long-term memory, and to recall it when desired.

12. ALL BEHAVIOR IS PURPOSEFUL! ► It is our best attempt, ► at the time, ► given our current knowledge and skills, ► to meet one or more of our basic human needs. Dr. William Glasser Dr. William Glasser

13. So, what does that have to do with my classroom?

14. Classroom Implications ► What needs are met with Cooperative Learning (Collaborative Pairs, Group Work)? ► Classroom Rules? ► Athletics? ► Clubs/Organizations? ► Community service? ► Review games? ► Posting student work? ► Hot and cold lunch lines? ► Positive phone calls home?