Hello, Is there a way to relate the material they are working on to something they can connect with in their lives? Maybe the students would participate more if they could make personal connections with the material being taught and could find more meaning in the lessons.

I think that you should ask the students what type of activities would make the class more fun or engaging. Maybe ask if they would like to incorporate art, music, or acting. This might interest them enough to stay engaged in the lessons.

I can relate! I have the same situation going on in one of my classes where the students do nothing and the teacher does not do anything about it. I started to structure my lessons on things the students can relate to and since it is an economics class it was easy to do so. Like basing it off the newest shoes or makeup just things like that, so the students will be engaged in the lesson. Even playing things like Kahoot or review games may help the students want to learn the material. Hope this helps!

There is maybe something more that is going on at home or outside of school that you are not aware of. I would talk to them individually and figure out if it is sometime more or just the subject. If they have a favorite class and they are doing everything in all of their other classes and not yours, that would be a very strange. Maybe even put a special reward program in place just for those specific students that is just between the few of you.

This behavior tends to start happening in middle school because they are given more freedom. I would choose one thing each class that they are held responsible for. Example, ticket out the door. It's a small task that is immediately graded. If they choose to not listen during the lesson, they will struggle with the ticket out the door and hopefully see an immediate response when they have a zero in the grade book. Don't expect too much because they won't do it if requires more than 1 minute of thinking.

When I went to teach, I would make sure to do activities that got students involved in something they were interested in. Maybe they work they do could be part of some larger project in which they solve a problem, help the environment, or serve the community!

I understand where you are coming from. A lot of students cannot stand conventional lessons, such as PowerPoint presentations and worksheets. Instead, you can try implementing discussions and stations. If the content is boring, try to provide extrinsic motivation, such as candy or cell phone time.

I am glad you care about these students and want them to be happy in general to be in the class, whether it is the topic or the other students and teachers. Maybe try rearranging them in pods so that they work in groups and can communicate with their peers. Note that this can cause some students to be disruptive but changing the seating arrangement and taking note of behavior can help. If they just hate the topic, try and find something relatable to the students that you can apply to class activities and worksheets.

I know this is frustrating! If I were you I would ask your CT to teach lessons every time you are there and make them fun and engaging lessons. This will remind students that learning is supposed to fun and informative!

I would try and make class more hands on. Also find what the kids like and try and throw those things in as well.

I think that maybe trying to make the lessons more interactive or fun for them may help. Or start with an activity that will make them want to learn more about the subject?

When planning activities, tell your students the expectations you have for them for the lesson first. Also, see what they are interesting in and things that they like and plan lessons around this.

First of all make sure they know that participation counts for maybe 30% of their grade. Next you have to call on them,so you are engaging them if they don't want answer the question call on a classmate by say something along the line " who wants to help student X with the question" etc.