Author Question: Mr. Collins is trying to motivate his students to read by giving them gold stars for each book that ... (Read 155 times)

chads108 · **on:** Jun 20, 2018

Mr. Collins is trying to motivate his students to read by giving them gold stars for each book that they've read and then awarding special privileges to the student who reads the greatest number of books each month. For which children is this approach likely to be motivating?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Is it appropriate for Mr. Wilson to give stickers when his students show progress, even if their performance is only marginally satisfactory?

What will be an ideal response?

nmyers · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 20, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Students who like to be the first in line and/or the center of attention are likely to be motivated. Also, completing reading tasks successfully may enhance children's self-efficacy for such tasks, and some children may realize that the gold stars are a symbol of that success.

Answer to Question 2

It probably is appropriate. For a variety of reasons, most experts argue against assign grades on the basis of improvement. However, teachers typically use stickers more as reinforcers than as indications of overall achievement, and it is certainly appropriate to reinforce improvement.