how do you get secondary school children interested in you subject - how do you inspire when you teach?

Answer 1

First, Find out what the students are interested in and make the materials and questions relevant to them and their lives.

You must also be interested and like what it is that you are teaching. Enthusiasm and interest is infectious. If you are bored, so will they be!

Also, I allow them some choice as to what we will learn, and there are opportunities for them to select a topic for a research paper or an independent book to read that is interesting to them.

Answer 2

My husband gets into literature that would otherwise seem boring. He uses voices, screams, jumps around, and points out any sexual innuendos the author intends (Shakespeare wasn't a goody-goody by any means). He draws pictures on the board, turns a simple sentence into an elaborate scene, and rephrases everything they read. They have way more class discussions about the themes of a story than the plot. From what I hear, it can get pretty heated. He forces students to think harder, dig deeper, and make it apply to their own lives. He also dances around. He's found that this approach really works with students who would otherwise sleep in class. Some of his more traditional students take issue with it at times, but that's mostly because when it comes down to it, they still have to do the work to pass the class. They're used to it being easy. Anyway, my point is that when you take something mundane and make it over the top, they pay attention. It works. My 3rd graders think Ben Franklin is the greatest mac daddy of all time.

Answer 3

First off, if YOU are passionate about your subject, it's infectious. Don't say, "I know everyone hates algebra, but we're going to study it anyway." If you teach algebra, LOVE algebra. Be excited about it. (within the bounds of your personality)
Your next passion, however, should be your kids. The major interest of adolescents and young adults is - - - THEMSELVES! Pay attention to them and their interests. There is no reason that the 'word problem' from the math book can't be tweaked to reflect something and someone from your class. In language classes, go ahead and discuss and write about the kids--you can transistion to literature, but reflect it back on the kids.
I don't mean talk down to them, but find out that Susan is a star soccer player and that George writes poetry and that Alana cooks for her family and doesn't like it but is great at it...
No, you don't need to do this all the time, but a combination of passion for your subject and sincere interest in your students, and sincere commitment that they will master your subject area no matter what will take you and them far.

Answer 4

Children, and people in general, learn in a variety of ways. Each person is going to have his or her own unique learning style, so it's best to teach in a variety of methods to reach as many students as you can. Maybe lecture for a while, then jazz it up with an activity that reinforces the lesson. Students generally learn through the eight intelligences proposed by Gardner:
Linguistic intelligence ("word smart")
Logical-mathematical intelligence ("number/reasoning smart")
Spatial intelligence ("picture smart")
Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart")
Musical intelligence ("music smart")
Interpersonal intelligence ("people smart")
Intrapersonal intelligence ("self smart")
Naturalist intelligence ("nature smart")
So, according to Gardner's Multiple Intelligences, you could induce some multisensory activities, including lecture, for those who are audio-inclined, pictures on the board, for those who are visual and spacial, get kids to move around the room or take a walk outside, have a talk about current events, have kids work in groups for people who are people smart. I hope this helps. Just break up the monotony of a dull, dry lecture.

Answer 5

That is very hard. I could never even inspire college students. Depending on you subject, you can try social awareness. Things such as homelessness, global warming, poverty,engineering projects, mock stock markets, the "apprentice" show theme of designing, producing and marketing a product. They are not incapable and they really do care, its a matter of making it relevant to their lives and tap into their passions. Sports marketing, music marketing etc.
Good luck and god bless you for trying

Answer 6

Where ever possible get them involved - if it's a science subject experiments, in English when going through a book get each child/teenager to read a bit out or get them to act a bit out.

Try and match what you are talking about to something they see/do at home or with their friends. There's nothing worse than listening to some talking about something you don't understand.

Answer 7

The trick is not to make it interesting to the kids number one, but make it interesting to yourself. If you are interested in something, it will shine through and what kids really need is an enthusiastic teacher.

Try finding out what the kids are interested in, and then bend your subject around that. It is much easier than you might think!

Answer 8

First of all, you as a teacher ought to know what you are teaching like the palm of your hands. Students loves to see that brilliance in you and feel the charisma that radiate through you as you teach them to the extent that they will have this sense of wholeness and calmness in them that makes them know that they could pass your subject just by listening to you and attending your class.
Second, you ought the know each one of them by name: This makes them feel belong and not left out. It also make them know that you truly care for them and their success in life thereby encouraging them to do your assignment often since they know that if they fall? you will take notice and note them as not quite serious student(s).
Third, you need to be understanding to their plight, thoughtful to their mistakes and have a listening ear to their complains and worries. (this third option might make you think: But, i am not their councillor for Gods sake) however, I tell you that, it will surely go along way to aid you help them.
Thank you.

Answer 9

Use lots of visual aids and short activities. start off with the most interesting bits of the subject. don't have a monotonous voice. I teach sex and drugs so its easy for me

Answer 10

hi, i'm no longer a instructor yet have studied the two Literature and ingenious writing to degree point. despite if, I definitely have a 13year previous daughter that loves historic past. She is likewise very enticing with elderly people. She likes to take heed to memories approximately their previous lives etc. i think of a few babies work together in the event that they have mind's eye and desire to locate historic activities imaginitive or actual. different babies won't have an interest with the aid of fact they produce different hobbies that occupy them, interest or the likes. No baby is the comparable or likes the comparable issues no extra suitable than adults do. I do have self assurance that Dickens ought to learn in literature training with the aid of fact of its historic literary values in terms of writing. I additionally think of that alongside with Shakespeare that they are in a position to be of use sooner or later, to illustrate, I definitely have now long gone directly to learn Linguistics and examining the previous English language with the aid of to well-known this is desirable despite if it additionally helps having some expertise of historic literature. Literature does not belong in historic past training with the aid of fact its fictional. despite if, perchance a situation of Classical Literature ought to be presented at secondary college point as an selection for people who've a actual interest in it. this variety you need to in all risk reveal screen its makes use of plenty extra and info could in all risk upward thrust.