On 10/27/09, First Year Teacher wrote:
> My students have just worn me down (I teach 9th grade
> English). They don't want to do anything and have no
> interest in learning.

There are a few basic questions that might solver your problem.

Are you in the students way? What I mean by this is, are you
creating the wall that blocks you from the students? If your
emotions are in the front of what you do in the classroom then
you are creating a contest of bias to the students. I'm not
suggesting that you are but this may be the first place to look.

If you create bias, you will give the student room to behave
this way. Try to eliminate anger, condescension and negative
emotion from coming out in your tone. Insult strengthens
resistance.

The second question would be this: Are you creating common
ground? When you want something from the students, do you tell
them or do you ask? Do you create options or do you demand
your way (bias)?

"THINK LIKE THE OTHER AND YOU FIND YOUR WAY."

Try this when you want something, anything form your students.

1. Use a friendly voice and ask. They need to know you care,
even if you feel otherwise.

2. When you give options, always put the positive first, then
the negative and remind them of the positive. For instance, "I
would like to ask everyone to be engaged today and really pay
attention closely. I have a great lesson for you today and you
should be amazed at the end of class how interesting
Shakespeare can be. I would hate for anyone to be sent to the
office for behavior problems and I am sure you will agree that
behaving will help us avoid this. Okay, get ready for the most
amazing story you have ever heard." That's generic but you get
the point.

3. Be specific. Generality causes problems. Paint a picture.
Think for others as they should think for themselves. Create
high expectations and then demand them without getting angry,
condescending or emotional.

4. Greed principle. What’s in it for me. Most people are
selfish. Give in order to get. What are you offering the
student and why should they care. Create context as you teach
and relate what you teach to real life. Make it worth
listening to and not just reading out of the text.

5. Act. Don't be afraid to hold student accountable but avoid
anger, condescension or negative emotion in doing so. Always a
smile on your face, even if you are torn up on the inside.

None of this will matter if your lesson is not interesting.
Make it a great one and then do it every day.

Good luck.

Steve

Superior Education

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