1) The document discusses six proven ways to motivate students which include getting their attention through multisensory learning, unleashing their creativity, adding sunshine and fresh air through outdoor activities, empowering students to become leaders, using superpowers like faith to connect with students, and having students learn by teaching others. 2) It provides examples of how Milpitas Christian School incorporates these motivational techniques such as engaging students through visits from animals, giving students opportunities to explore and build with large materials, taking recess outside, challenging students to develop skills for the future, connecting faith and values to learning, and having older students teach younger students. 3) The school aims to equip students with a Christ-centered education and a

1. Motivate Students
PROVEN WAYS TO
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2. Start by getting their attention
Unless you get their attention, children will never
have an opportunity to learn. Creative,
experienced teachers know how to engage
children through sight, hearing, movement, touch
and other senses.
Multisensory learning employs visual, auditory,
kinesthetic and tactile (VAKT). In some cases, the
senses of smell and taste may also be used.
Nine-tenths of education is encouragement.
Anatole France (1844-1924)
Animal ambassadors from Happy Hollow visit children at Milpitas Christian
Preschool.
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3. Unleash their creativity…and stand back!
Give children the opportunity to explore. Watch
them assemble objects inspired by their creative
minds.
Inquisitive minds experience STEM (science,
technology, engineering and math) concepts by
thinking and building in three dimensions. The
oversized components help students to play
collaboratively and even build things larger than
themselves!
“High academic standards; teach good learning attitudes.”
Parent (MCS 2018)
Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten students use wooden planks with
oversized nuts, bolts, gears, wheels, pulleys, and rope to engineer their
personal creations.
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4. Add sunshine and fresh air
Sunshine is the best source of natural vitamin D,
an essential nutrient that helps the body absorb
calcium and phosphorous. Vitamin D also supports
the health of our brain, nervous and immune
systems.
It’s not surprising to hear that recess and PE are
the favorite subjects for younger children. After
time outside, students are ready for their next
activity in the classroom.
For upper grades, Outdoor Education can integrate
academic learning with spiritual development and
community building.
Kindergarten students show off their wheels around the 10-acre Birchwood
campus.
ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/
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5. Empower tomorrow’s leaders
Elementary students talk with professionals about future career interests in
science, health care, engineering, public service and much more.
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Set stretch targets that reach the sky—and
beyond.
Teachers know that today’s students will have the
opportunity to become the leaders of tomorrow.
By challenging kids to become fluent in data
analysis, collaborative problem solving and
complex decision making, they’re developing
critical skills that will help them adapt to the needs
of our fast-changing world.
“Opportunities to learn and lead…teachers seemed invested in the
students.”
Parent (MCS 2018)

6. When necessary, use superpowers
More than ever before, children need role models
that can connect with them. Milpitas Christian
School partners with parents to understand and
learn from the Word of God, the Bible.
Not all students who attend MCS have already
placed their faith in Christ. Those with open hearts
and spirits will find a safe environment to ask
questions and pursue their spiritual quest.
“Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make
man a more clever devil.”
C.S. Lewis
Author and Lay Theologian
Middle schoolers learn about faith and values during weekly chapel time.
ideas.time.com/2011/11/30/the-protege-effect/
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7. Learn by teaching
Students teaching students is the pedagogy that
uses older children to tutor younger children.
Middle school students demonstrate their mastery
of their chosen subject so that they can share
what they’ve learned in age-appropriate ways. The
best protégés? Student teachers who find creative
and entertaining ways to connect with their
younger classmates.
“Everyone was like family: teachers, students, classmates. We had a
great time not just referring to each other as classmates or friends,
but brothers and sisters.”
Student (MCS 2018)
Middle school students share what they’ve learned during a school-wide
science event.
ideas.time.com/2011/11/30/the-protege-effect/
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8. Is Milpitas Christian School Right For You?
The goal of Milpitas Christian School is to equip
our students with a Christ-centered education
based on the Word of God. Although not all
students who attend have already placed their
faith in Christ, those with open hearts and spirits
will find a safe environment to ask tough
questions and pursue their spiritual quest.
“Bible classes taught me how to live my life (being kind, humble, and
how to deal with people who are rude).”
Student (MCS 2018)

9. Choosing Milpitas Christian School
Students who excel at Milpitas Christian School
(MCS) have a love for learning and the desire to
change the world. With the best teacher-student
ratio in the area, our students will have personal
attention from their academic teacher, athletic
coach, music instructor and specialists.
“I have studied at MCS from my preschool years to eighth grade and
have been impacted by their mission towards furthering my faith and
education…Ultimately, MCS has molded me into a better person in
Christ, and I’m so proud to be an alumni lion.”
Amy Junus (MCS 2011), UCLA
Clark Gilbert, Head of School/Principal with MCS Class of 2014: Jan Silva-University of Washington, Electrical Engineering; Cameron
Hane, DeAnza, Political Science; Ryan Nguyen-San Jose State University, Biomedical Engineering; Emerald Gilana-DeAnza, Industrial
Design; Sean Tran-Mission College, Computer Science; Allen Cheung-University of California at Santa Cruz, Computer Engineering;
Kelly Lue-University of California at Irvine, Electrical Engineering; Katherine Hubeny-University of California at Irvine, Computer
Science; and Kyle Wong-University of California at Santa Barbara, Computer Engineering.

10. 6 Proven Ways to Motivate Students
© 2020 Milpitas Christian Schools. All rights reserved. MCS accepts students of all races and nationalities and does not discriminate in any of its programs based on gender, race, or national origin. 2005 – JH. RevC