Teaching for Two Hours

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Teaching for Two Hours

by Staci

May 30, 2012

I am set to teach at a school that combines high school and college classes. I will be teaching ninth grade English. My concern is what to do for two hours each session to keep kids engaged. I really don't want to lecture much and I plan on having all materials, assignments, and power points online. So what does one do to keep everyone engaged and on task?

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bernoulli On 5/30/12, Staci wrote: > I am set to teach at a school that combines high school and > college classes. I will be teaching ninth grade English. My > concern is what to do for two hours each session to keep > kids engaged. I really don't want to lecture much and I > plan on having all materials, assignments, and power points > on...See More

Jun 1, 2012

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Diane On 6/01/12, bernoulli wrote: > On 5/30/12, Staci wrote: >> I am set to teach at a school that combines high school and >> college classes. I will be teaching ninth grade English. My >> concern is what to do for two hours each session to keep >> kids engaged. I really don't want to lecture much and I >> plan on havin...See MoreOn 6/01/12, bernoulli wrote: > On 5/30/12, Staci wrote: >> I am set to teach at a school that combines high school and >> college classes. I will be teaching ninth grade English. My >> concern is what to do for two hours each session to keep >> kids engaged. I really don't want to lecture much and I >> plan on having all materials, assignments, and power points >> online. So what does one do to keep everyone engaged and on >> task?

I was teaching 9,10,11, and 12th grade English on a block schedule - 1-1/2 hours at a time. A couple of projects I had great fun with. We "translated" Shakespeare: with my 9th grade, they split into groups and were responsible for either performing a scene live or filming it (most kids have video even on their phones nowadays). They were to contemporize it (use everyday words instead of Old English). We presented them in order, filling in the other scenes mostly by summarizing and reading a few "key" lines. For the seniors, we read "King Lear" - students had to sign up for characters and rehearse their part. Students also signed up to summarize scenes (they were allowed to use SparkNotes).We dramatized it during a portion of class everyday - a scene acted, then summarized. Instead of an essay for a persuasive argument, we did speeches. Students were to come up with a minimum of visuals to accompany their speech. Other students had a review slip to fill out, which kept them listening.

For the most part, however, if you have a long stretch like 2 hours, make sure your transitions are SMOOTH. I regretted days that I was not totally prepared, as those were the days that students became restless.

And face it - they're teenagers. 2 hours is a long stretch! If between items on your agenda, somewhere in the middle, you can let them stretch, move around the room (one of our teachers actually took her class for a walk around the building each day midway through class), just for five minutes it will help break up the class time. Perhaps they can even be seated in one place for a portion of class, but move to another location for another (like group work)?

As much hands-on as you can think of is best! Visuals as much as you can also is imperative!

Hope this helps!

Dec 3, 2012

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