Separate your teaching goals from the methods of how you will teach them. List the ideas themselves and the purposes of each lesson to act as your guide when you reevaluate your lesson plans. As an example, in an English class, your list may contain metaphors, similes, hyperboles and personifications.
Consider the interests and ideals of the students you teach. Make a list of the things they seem to care about, such as pop culture, technology, sports or local interests. Look for creative ways to include these interests in your lesson plans. For instance, if your list includes metaphors for an upcoming class, select a few popular songs from your students’ favorite musicians and instruct your students to identify the metaphors in the songs. Discuss how the artist uses the metaphors to express her ideas.
Give your students options for their assignments, allowing each student to make choices designed to inspire motivation. Include research paper options with enough topic possibilities to allow students to select a research topic in which they are personally interested, and give reading assignments with reading options, so students can select books they enjoy. As an example, if you are creating a writing assignment to accompany your metaphor section, ask students to write their own songs, about any subject, using metaphors to express a point.
Create assignments to challenge students at different academic levels by designing assignments with interpretable, or open-ended, goals. An assignment asking students to read a selection and answer multiple-choice questions about the work is an example of a closed-ended assignment because questions each have one right answer. An open-ended assignment would allow students to select a book, read it and write a paper about elements from the story they wish to write about.
Develop a plan to address individual students who show a particular lack of motivation. Include methods to approach the student with the problem, discuss the issue to determine the root of the problem and develop a solution to these problems. Include a plan for students with particular problems, such as learning disabilities, family problems or social anxieties. Compile a list of people and resources at school to which you can refer the student, and how you intend to approach the student’s parents, if necessary.