Positive reinforcement can help students, but it is often only given for achievement. If the student has trouble with achievement and receives no positive reinforcement, he may become bored or unmotivated. Emphasize effort by rewarding it. Make a participation chart to keep track of class participation. Reward those who fill the chart with periodic prizes such as snacks or stickers. Encourage students to try answering questions even if they are not 100 percent sure of the answer, and record their attempts -- even wrong answers -- on the chart to keep them invested in class participation.
Learning more about your unmotivated students can go a long way toward helping them achieve good scholastic results. Set aside time during or even after school to get to know them better. Talk with them about their likes, goals, dreams and interests. Take notes if you need to and then try to incorporate these into future lessons. For example, if one student likes surfing, perhaps incorporate surfing into a lesson about the ocean or water. This shows students you care.
If an adolescent is depressed about her progress or grades, setting her up to succeed can break her out of this rut. Break up assignments into smaller parts, which will not overwhelm students who think they are prone to failure. Try to bring their interests into the lessons, which will make it easier for them to relate to. Go through a student's previous work and see which areas she is stronger in and give her an assignment based on those strengths. The positivity gained from something students can complete can spill over to other areas of their studies.
Memory is connected to emotions, so using strong emotions like laughter or drama during lessons can help middle-school students retain information. Retention of information means better overall grades, which can help students feel a sense of achievement. Sit down and look at all of your future planned lessons. See which ones you can turn into a lively lecture with lots of action. Try something outrageous like dressing up in costume or play acting. These moments will be remembered by the students, causing retention of the lesson as well.