Spark Student Motivation: Write on the Desks!

Happy Saturday! Let's get each other MOTIVATED today!

My idea to get students excited is pretty simple, but there's a lot of people who don't know about this trick, so I wanted to share!

Using dry erase markers on the desks! They love it! I own a set of dry erase boards, but something about graffiting a desk makes learning exciting! I always give them 1-2 minutes of doodle time, so they're not tempted to draw while I'm teaching or should be working out a problem.

*If they doodle after doodle time, they lose their privilege of using dry erase markers for that day.

**You will only need to make an example of one student and no one will doodle again!

Of course the students below gets extra credit during doodle time!! :O) 



We use them for math everyday-they love working out their problems on their desks! It's way more fun to do multiplication and division on a desk than lined paper!



As a management tool, it's very quick for me to walk around the room to assess their learning. My students work with shoulder partners and coach each other through their thinking to solve problems too. It's much easier for them to see each other's work on their neighbor's desk.

   We use it for multiplication facts, vocabulary review, spelling, writing, timelines, life cycles, reminders in the corner of our desks, ANY way we can find a way to write on our desks!

They use old socks as erasers. They keep their dry erase markers, socks, and other supplies in their tubs at the center of their groups.

 

Link up any idea that motivates you or your students-if it motivates you, it motivates them! No idea is too small or too big! :O) (Incentives, units of study, a lesson, a book, ANYTHING).

** Don't forget to grab my linky button and this post when you link up.

While we're here, let's share some blog love and "motivate" each other by following/commenting at least one person's post! :O) I can't wait to read everyone's ideas!

Thanks for linking up! I hope to see you again next week!