Stacey Whaley

Book Report #2

If Maslow Taught Writing

By Ada Hill and Beth Boone

This short book deals with the issues of student motivation. The authors have not only recognized that students are internally motivated at different levels, but have also offered suggestions on how to maximize student performance within those parameters.

By taking Abraham Maslow’s classic diagram and findings of his Hierarchy of Needs, the authors have identified five main types of writers.

1. Basic- maybe no skills
2. Safety- scared, failed too many times before, could be special needs
3. Belonging- more accomplished in a group than on own, peer acceptance is key
4. Ego- wants recognition for work
5. Self-Actualizing- higher level, sometimes appears off task, works on own projects

By addressing assignments and instruction for several different learning styles, teachers were able to get more from their students on composition work.

There are several good tools included for assessing the level of your students. These can be self-identifying tools students can use or ways teachers can easily assess the students themselves. Many strategies are given for providing the most effective instruction for each level within the same classroom.