Articles for Teachers
As tough on the ego as it may be, it quickly becomes apparent that not all students think your subject is as fascinating as you do! But think back to your own school career. Were there certain classes that you enjoyed attending, even if you didn't like the subject matter? What factors make the difference? Let's look at the top ways to increase student interest in your class.
1. Novelty: Even in high school most kids are excited on the first day of school. They hope their teachers will be cool, their classes fun, and their classroom full of potential friends and romantic interests. Don't spoil their illusions on the very first day by droning on about rules, regulations, requirements and potential punishments for dastardly acts they haven't even thought about committing yet. (The image of Charlie Brown's teacher suddenly comes to mind.) The first day of school really does set the tone for the rest of the year in your class. If you have the courage, do something really wacky. You may get some smirks from those too cool to show any interest, but you can bet you will be the talk of the dinner table.
You will know you have them hooked when a kid comes in and says "Are you going to do anything weird today?" That's teenspeak for "Wow, this class is really cool and I can't wait to find out what fun things we are going to do today." For those of you who worry you don't have too many "wacky" or "weird" tricks up your sleeve, never fear. Kids are so used to being bored in school that they can go weeks just on the expectation that you will do something cool again- someday.
If wacky and weird are not your thing, come up with a fun, "getting to know you" activity. The sooner your kids are comfortable with each other, the sooner you can have them working successfully together as a class.
Remember, there is plenty of time during the first week to slowly introduce your rules and expectations. How about using your first day to raise their expectations of how much fun your class will be? (By the way, if you are reading this in January, keep in mind that every Monday is a new year: just start!)
2. Enthusiasm: Enthusiasm truly is contagious. If you love your subject your students will enjoy learning it more. Granted, within every subject there are some things you don't particularly enjoy teaching. I was a history teacher and could never get myself too psyched up for Cotton Mather, Jonathan Edwards, and The City on a Hill. However, I learned to do a pretty good job of faking enthusiasm and you can learn to do this as well. Teaching is ¾ showmanship, after all.
3. Engagement: If students are not actively engaged in learning the material they will tune out and retention will be poor. It's not difficult to engage students but it does take some pre-planning. Start slow if you are working with kids who are used to being passive observers, and dozers, in school. Google "Kagan Cooperative Learning" for some easy activities to get your students moving and talking with one another.
4. Let them talk: Adolescents are very social creatures. Don't fight the wave: Let them talk to each other! If you don't give them a structured opportunity to talk, they will talk anyway- and disrupt your class in the process. Be proactive. Take their innate desire to converse and channel it into discussion of your topic.
5. Movement: Students should be moving at least once every hour, preferably at the same time they are talking about what they have just learned. The movement does not have to be dramatic, just standing up and talking with someone is sufficient. But remember this, if you don't get them up about half way through the period, the information you present during the latter part of class is increasingly unlikely to be remembered. To quote Rich Allen, educational and business consultant, "If the bum is numb, the brain is the same."
Many teachers are afraid to have students move, especially early in the year, because they fear they won't be able to get them back under control again. Good classroom management skills will solve this problem. In general, you will find that students are so glad to have a chance to stretch their legs and talk to peers that they will cooperate readily.
Give these 5 tips a try in your classroom. You probably are already doing many of them. Make a conscious effort to include them all and see student interest and your enjoyment of teaching soar!
Professional Speaker, Seminar/Workshop presenter, Staff Development Trainer
My book. A Teacher's Book of 10s" Best Ways to Do Everything in the Classroom will be published in the spring of 1010.