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Katie26
Joined: 06 Jan 2009
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 Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:19 pm Post subject: Middle school-hints and tips? |
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Anyeong to you all,
First i guess I should say that I currently work for a Hagwon with a fairly structured curriculum. This allows me to add in some of my own ideas but I still have to stick to the lesson plan more or less.
I like most of my classes and the kids are good. However I do have a problem which maybe some of you could help me with....
I don't seem to 'get along' with my middle school classes. Elementary kids-no problem but Middle schoolers I seem at a loss. I find that if I'm really relaxed with them and let them play/speak Korean they're happy however they also misbehave and learn very little.
If I'm strict a lot more gets done and they do learn even if I have to prise the English out of their mouths with threats of detention. But they seem to be really really BORED and class is dull for all of us.
So my question is-how can you make middle school kids learn and still have fun using a fairly structured and dull curriculum??? Also as of next week I'll have all new students so it seems a good time to make a fresh start.
Thanks!!! |
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marsavalanche
Joined: 27 Aug 2010
Location: where pretty lies perish
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Good thing you spammed 3 threads or otherwise I wouldn't have noticed this thread. |
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Katie26
Joined: 06 Jan 2009
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Grow up. |
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Katie26
Joined: 06 Jan 2009
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Grow up. |
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BankOfRC
Joined: 06 May 2010
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 10:53 pm Post subject: |
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Just take a big poop in class. I bet that will start some proper conversation! Just drop the pants, and let it go! |
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thegadfly
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 11:24 pm Post subject: Re: Middle school-hints and tips? |
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| Katie26 wrote: |
Anyeong to you all,
First i guess I should say that I currently work for a Hagwon with a fairly structured curriculum. This allows me to add in some of my own ideas but I still have to stick to the lesson plan more or less.
I like most of my classes and the kids are good. However I do have a problem which maybe some of you could help me with....
I don't seem to 'get along' with my middle school classes. Elementary kids-no problem but Middle schoolers I seem at a loss. I find that if I'm really relaxed with them and let them play/speak Korean they're happy however they also misbehave and learn very little.
If I'm strict a lot more gets done and they do learn even if I have to prise the English out of their mouths with threats of detention. But they seem to be really really BORED and class is dull for all of us.
So my question is-how can you make middle school kids learn and still have fun using a fairly structured and dull curriculum??? Also as of next week I'll have all new students so it seems a good time to make a fresh start.
Thanks!!! |
If students are learning, then you are doing your job. If they are improving, you are doing your job. Don't overvalue "fun." If you are getting through to the students, and they are actually retaining what you teach them, then you are doing well, even if they feel bored....
That being said, a lot of the time, "fun" comes from the ability to do something well. Games for games' sake subtly reinforce the idea that learning, by itself, is not nor can not be fun -- which is why I almost never play any games. Knowing something today that you did not kow yesterday is an amazing thing -- I model and exude this attitude with my students. I praise correct answers, but I also praise incorrect answers that show any sort of effort on the parts of the students. I draw poorly on the board to illustrate my ideas, I make silly examples, I poke fun at myself (though never at others, nor do I allow students to make fun of anyone else, save for me).
My students can have fun figuring out the meaning of a word from the context and placement...because now they CAN figure it out from context and placement. They were bored when they couldn't.
Keep teaching them. The fun will come later, if you have the proper attitude. |
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marsavalanche
Joined: 27 Aug 2010
Location: where pretty lies perish
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 11:42 pm Post subject: |
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the fun will come later if you have the proper attitude, yet you "almost never" play games with your students. i cant telll if you just enjoy rambling or enjoy insulting yourself more.
lol |
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thegadfly
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 11:52 pm Post subject: |
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| marsavalanche wrote: |
the fun will come later if you have the proper attitude, yet you "almost never" play games with your students. i cant telll if you just enjoy rambling or enjoy insulting yourself more.
lol |
I play a game one day, the day before Christmas break. Except for that one, single game a year, I do not play games. I also give students candy on that day.
...because I do it once a year, I can not say I never do it. Hence, almost never....
...although I do enjoy self-depricating humor, which could be termed "insulting myself," AND I do enjoy rambling...so I guess, yeah, I enjoy them all...which doesn't alter my original statement's accuracy or veracity.... |
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