I am a substitute teacher at a high school, I signed on to work for a full calendar year here so I am still trying to figure out how to relate to kids, what I should talk to them about. I feel like I need to make a connection with them so I can get through to them, so I gotta get them to like me in order to be a positive influence on their lives. They are mostly hispanic. I know that they don't like to talk about school, that's for sure. Sometimes it's hard to make a connection with them. I know I should find out what is interesting to them, but I don't think a lot of the stuff that they are interested in is worth a crap. Any veteran teachers or anybody else have any advice? Thanks so much.
2007-09-14 09:35:32 · 9 answers · asked by originale_tees 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Bit Off a little more than you can chew ?!?!?!?? LOL
Teens are hard enough let alone a class of Hispanic teens.
Have them write an essay about themselves.
That seems to be the most direct way to over come some of what is on their minds.
2007-09-14 09:48:40 · answer #1 · answered by Dionannan 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've been substitute teaching for about 4 years now, and I definitely learned that the kids aren't looking for someone to connect with on a friendship basis. They want to come to school to socialize with the friends they already have. So your first error is trying so hard. Just relax, be yourself, and don't try to be something more to them. Your job is to teach the assignment, get through each class with minimal problems, and make sure the work is done. You should be focusing on your task and not trying to impress the kids. Please take this advice, I know what I'm talking about. Would you rather be known as the cool teacher by the kids or the reliable sub by the teachers? I learned this. And I hope you do too. :)
2007-09-14 17:12:52 · answer #2 · answered by Devika P 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
When I worked with teenage girls recently I found that the best thing I could do was listen to them. Most of them just want to talk, and the more you listen, the more you learn about trends and things that interest them. With girls, clothes are always a good topic, and so are celebrities. Boys tend to like sports and cars. But it really depends on the situation and the students. I wouldn't worry too much about being their friend. Its better for you to be their teacher and mentor and give them something to aspire to.
2007-09-14 16:46:09 · answer #3 · answered by jml167 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Talk to them about work, about your teenage years, a good ice breaker could be anything from a bizarre/peculiar news website. Some might not care for politics all that much but teenagers are a lot more like adults than people think, at least I was.
2007-09-14 16:47:49 · answer #4 · answered by Manny 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
cell phones, text messaging and music.Sometimes celebrities, mostly music. Teen issues; what rules they wish existed, or wished could change, decisions related to local crime or news events.."Do you think it was fair...?" Opens a good discussion.
My 14 yr old daughter just walked in from the mall where she and some friends hung out- she went on and on about these sun glasses they tried on..clothes, other friends..
2007-09-15 01:43:52 · answer #5 · answered by atheleticman_fan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well I'm a 16 year old student. Every student is unique and likes to talk about different things. You just need to be able to get to know each and every student. Maybe hand out a questionaire thing and ask them what activities they participate in, etc.
2007-09-14 19:59:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do your job.. but do it smiling.. Be nice.. but be firm when you stick to your guns.. I just had a student tell me today "you're mean...but you're nice.. how can you be both?" ... because I don't bend the rules.. but I do it while smiling and I act nicely towards them..but I dont take guff from them.
2007-09-14 18:14:36 · answer #7 · answered by Diane S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are not going to relate to anyone if you believe their interests aren't "worth a crap"
2007-09-14 16:44:55 · answer #8 · answered by monalisa 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
hmmn.just don't try to use 'slang'.it's a bit sad when adults do that.
2007-09-14 16:44:15 · answer #9 · answered by toastxcore 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋