Return tests and papers as soon as possible and point out the areas where they excelled and where they need to improve. Use positive praise and be specific regarding the areas where your students excelled. Recognize your students' sincere efforts and let those who you feel are not working up to their potential know that over time they can and will be able to do so. Phrase negative comments in a way that shows the students it is directed towards a specific part of their work. Avoid generalizations or put-downs.
Students will be much more motivated to learn if you teach them how to work until they find the solution on their own. If your students are stuck, ask them how they would approach the problem. Encourage them to use their prior knowledge about the problem to brainstorm possible solutions. Instead of answering them when they ask, "Is this answer right?" show them how to check the answer on their own. Praise students each step of the way. This develops patience, and students learn it is okay not to have an instant answer. Their confidence towards learning increases.
Help your students succeed by giving them high but realistic expectations. Encourage your students to grow, learn and be successful by making goals challenging yet attainable. Help your students to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. Rather than make grades a big part of how your students measure success, encourage them to focus on how their learning has improved in the subject area. Teachers who tell their students what they expect of them, and give them a challenging avenue to meet those expectations, generally have students who meet the challenge.
Teach students to work cooperatively in groups rather than create intense individual competition among students. You may find that this results in better comprehension, attentiveness and work production. When possible, let students choose subjects for term papers and projects. Allow them to choose the destination for a field trip between two locations. Differentiated instructions allow teachers to use varying teaching methods to meet the learning styles of all their students. Know what makes your students want to learn. Allow your personality to shine through when appropriate to foster trust with your students.