Any "tricks" to motivate your students?

[bsouth]

I'm working on my Masters Degree and researching a paper I will write about motivating students. How do you motivate your students....specifically those students who don't want to be in class?
Thanks!

[wondering student]

Well as a student, I think creativity is a main factor. Something new and unexpected keep students on their toes, and surprisingly causes them to look forward to class. I had a teacher at Lincoln H.S. in S.F., CA, for economics. He had a bright personality and always seemed to keep class interesting. He had different projects that were fun, but we were actually learning. It was a great class, and I enjoyed it. We had daily journals where we wrote about an issue he posted. We got to expreess how we feel and discussed it. It mades us feel like we were actually grown-up and not patronized as little kids. I hope this is of some help, if not then sorry. Bye!