Boring Middle School English/Lit class

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High School English Teachers Chatboard

Boring Middle School English/Lit class

by Lady J

Sep 12, 2012

The 8th graders that I teach English, Literature, and Writing to say that they are bored in class. they like science because of the hands on, social studies because she can show films. But LA and math are boring. I have them for an hour 4 days and 40 for one day. There is a lot to cram into the time. I have to spend a lot of time with them in English to grasp a concept. In Literature, we use a text book and spend a lot of time reading and discussing as a group. Their abilities are such that they need a lot of guided help. They do not do well in small groups in any class. What can I do to make it better? The English games I find are too simple.

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Sam J I would love to know more of what you do to teach different concepts.

I am sure there are lots of ideas out there on how to interest more students. Rule of thumb for most teachers is to change activities after about 15-20 minutes.

Another way to prevent boredom is offer students choices in their responses to literature. For instan...See MoreI would love to know more of what you do to teach different concepts.

I am sure there are lots of ideas out there on how to interest more students. Rule of thumb for most teachers is to change activities after about 15-20 minutes.

Another way to prevent boredom is offer students choices in their responses to literature. For instance, in the short story unit I teach with freshman, one of the selections is "Most Dangerous Game" After we read and discuss it, the students have many choices for the assessment. I can get more specific if needed, but some of the choices include writing a survival manual or a literary analysis or rewriting the ending to the story. I also level the projects and assessments so that while students have to complete 100 points, they can choose the assignments to fulfill the points.

I have published this before, but this is my weekly schedule for freshmen. It changes slightly from year to year. My classes are 50-55 minutes

Mondays- Grammar Pre-Assessment Vocabulary Introduction Oral Expression Literature or Writing Lesson (whole class)

Tuesdays- Grammar Lesson (Differentiated) Vocabulary Instruction Literature or Writing Lesson (whole class)

Weds.- Grammar Re-Assessment Listening Skills Reading or Writing Workshop (Rotation 1 and 2)

Thursdays- Grammar Lesson (Differentiated) Reading or Writing Workshop (Rotation 3 and 4)

Fridays- Grammar Post-Assessment Vocabulary Assessment Sustained Silent Reading

My rotation groups A- Journal, Vocabulary Practice, Mechanics Practice B- Directed Reading or Writing (assignments like descriptive essays or reading a passage) C- Demonstrated Reading or Writing (working with the teacher on reading or writing skills) D- Test Prep (skills practice for state testing)

My students are rarely bored because the pace is so very fast. They don't have time to be bored. I set high expectations and they rise to it. And this is not a rich, suburban school; I teach at a poor, rural school with little opportunities and low parent expectations.

I hope this helps some.

Sep 13, 2012

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Lit Teacher On 9/12/12, Lady J wrote:

It's hard to have any class for an hour but reading from a textbook and discussing it - even for half an hour is boring and I don't think they learn much if anything from it.

The challenge with traditional LA is that you have to teach everything - smarter schools are breaking LA into separate Reading and...See MoreOn 9/12/12, Lady J wrote:

It's hard to have any class for an hour but reading from a textbook and discussing it - even for half an hour is boring and I don't think they learn much if anything from it.

The challenge with traditional LA is that you have to teach everything - smarter schools are breaking LA into separate Reading and Writing classes. Don't teach grammar separate from writing - not only is it boring, it's also ineffective.

Why do you teach Literature? What about Literature or writing do you like? Let them see your passion. If you want to discuss something, discuss literature, real literature or discuss film or a play - underneath every film and play is a written piece.

What concepts are they struggling to grasp? Literature reflects life - do they get that? Show them that. Do they agree with the portrayal of life as it is portrayed in literature? Do they agree with the hopelessness of some literature - do they agree with Hemingway's idea that humankind is capable of showing grace and courage under pressure? Every writer, every book, poem, short story, play or film portrays humanity in a different light. Which do they think is an accurate portrayal? Which book etc. does a great job asking the hard question of 'what are we as people really like?'

I don't play games with literature so I can't tell you good games. I'd have trouble reducing literature to a game. Some of your students being weaker students can't read well and if they can't read well, they can't write well.

Go to poets.org. Langston Hughes reads one of his poems aloud there. Many short stories have a film counterpoint. Which bad guy in literature is the worst? (Read them The Lottery - can you read aloud and well? No kid I've ever known has said The Lottery is boring) Good luck. > The 8th graders that I teach English, Literature, and > Writing to say that they are bored in class. they like > science because of the hands on, social studies because she > can show films. But LA and math are boring. > I have them for an hour 4 days and 40 for one day. There is > a lot to cram into the time. I have to spend a lot of time > with them in English to grasp a concept. In Literature, we > use a text book and spend a lot of time reading and > discussing as a group. Their abilities are such that they > need a lot of guided help. They do not do well in small > groups in any class. > What can I do to make it better? The English games I find > are too simple.

Sep 14, 2012

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