VIDBE-Q Volume 65 Issue 2
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Image 4. Children looking into a pumpkin that has just had the top part removed
and they are trying to figure out how to get the seeds out.
Over the years, I have found that making personal connections with my
students and their interests is not only more enjoyable for the children, but it is also
a proven method of increasing their motivation to learn. Willis (2007) states that
Brain-Based Research suggests higher level learning takes place when a classroom
setting is enjoyable and relevant to the students' lives, interests, and experiences.
I also believe that we need to think about engaging our students throughout
the learning process and not just in topics we have chosen to present. A few years
