I know it must be strange reading suggestions from a high school freshman, but I still felt like helping out by utilizing some of my observations and thoughts that have accumulated over time.
Students need memory hooks. The more visual and standing-out, the better. A huge colorful poster that utilizes a common word or picture, a jingle or simple song that can never get off of one's mind, anything that stands out and is easy to recall. Shocking things (out of the normal or simply things that aren't thought of before) usually stick in the memory a little longer than trite things do.
Teenagers (or even children if you'd like to call them that, although most will hate it) are visual people, who rely on their immediate surroundings (home, work, and school). If you could get something with the traits mentioned above, that also associates with their daily lives that would allow them to think about your material when they see or hear it, it would certainly help.
Teenagers are stubborn creatures too, who don't like being looked down upon or judged/disciplined unfairly. If this is how they think they are being treated, then they will refuse to listen to you, or will simply ridicule everything you say. (I obviously have experience with this, because it's HOW I AM, and school-sponsored disciplinary actions only make it more stronger and long-lasting.)
Those who are social, will benefit from social activities. Those who are loners, will benefit from activities done alone. I know this because I'm one of the loner types, and any group activities that I did (one on one, or two other people, you know SMALL group activities like that), always hindered my educational benefits because one). i wasn't social, and they didn't know me that well because of it so they didn't include me that much and two). it was awkward, period. Plus, the loners won't like you as much when you force them into group activities that they don't want to be a part of, which ties into the issue that I pointed out above.
You should however, be bold, charismatic and confident. Usually you'll get more people's attention that way, and plus they'll remember you more because of it. Include kids but not in a way that puts them under the spot light, get kids working more but not so much that they feel overwhelmed, and most of all, let them have fun. Don't, however, go overly cheesy, because the bright ones will only laugh at this and gain very little (and perhaps prevent others from gaining as much). Some lame suggestions as to how to achieve this: - have kids make their own board games as to improve their repetition abilities and still let them have fun (but don't put an over-board emphasis on the math, because then the game won't be fun. I speak from experience here). - use bright and abstract objects when showing students how to add and subtract or do whatever basic things you want them to learn how to do. the out-of-the-norm nature of the objects would allow them to remember more, but don't make them too flashy that they can't concentrate on what you're teaching them - have fun, or at least make it look like you are, because then the mood may happen to "seep" into the students moods. If i'm being taught by a bored teacher, I get bored. If I'm being taught by an angry teacher, I get tense. If I'm being taught by a sad teacher, I get morose. Of course, if I'm being taught by an excited and outgoing teacher, I'm more willing to learn and listen. It just works like that.
Yeesh, this turned out to be longer than I ment it to be . . . well you can always ask me more specific questions as to utilize my excessive thinking. (My experiences are ripe for the harvest you know.)
Students need memory hooks. The more visual and standing-out, the better. A huge colorful poster that utilizes a common word or picture, a jingle or simple song that can never get off of one's mind, anything that stands out and is easy to recall. Shocking things (out of the normal or simply things that aren't thought of before) usually stick in the memory a little longer than trite things do.
Teenagers (or even children if you'd like to call them that, although most will hate it) are visual people, who rely on their immediate surroundings (home, work, and school). If you could get something with the traits mentioned above, that also associates with their daily lives that would allow them to think about your material when they see or hear it, it would certainly help.
Teenagers are stubborn creatures too, who don't like being looked down upon or judged/disciplined unfairly. If this is how they think they are being treated, then they will refuse to listen to you, or will simply ridicule everything you say. (I obviously have experience with this, because it's HOW I AM, and school-sponsored disciplinary actions only make it more stronger and long-lasting.)
Those who are social, will benefit from social activities. Those who are loners, will benefit from activities done alone. I know this because I'm one of the loner types, and any group activities that I did (one on one, or two other people, you know SMALL group activities like that), always hindered my educational benefits because one). i wasn't social, and they didn't know me that well because of it so they didn't include me that much and two). it was awkward, period. Plus, the loners won't like you as much when you force them into group activities that they don't want to be a part of, which ties into the issue that I pointed out above.
You should however, be bold, charismatic and confident. Usually you'll get more people's attention that way, and plus they'll remember you more because of it. Include kids but not in a way that puts them under the spot light, get kids working more but not so much that they feel overwhelmed, and most of all, let them have fun. Don't, however, go overly cheesy, because the bright ones will only laugh at this and gain very little (and perhaps prevent others from gaining as much). Some lame suggestions as to how to achieve this:
- have kids make their own board games as to improve their repetition abilities and still let them have fun (but don't put an over-board emphasis on the math, because then the game won't be fun. I speak from experience here).
- use bright and abstract objects when showing students how to add and subtract or do whatever basic things you want them to learn how to do. the out-of-the-norm nature of the objects would allow them to remember more, but don't make them too flashy that they can't concentrate on what you're teaching them
- have fun, or at least make it look like you are, because then the mood may happen to "seep" into the students moods. If i'm being taught by a bored teacher, I get bored. If I'm being taught by an angry teacher, I get tense. If I'm being taught by a sad teacher, I get morose. Of course, if I'm being taught by an excited and outgoing teacher, I'm more willing to learn and listen. It just works like that.
Yeesh, this turned out to be longer than I ment it to be . . . well you can always ask me more specific questions as to utilize my excessive thinking. (My experiences are ripe for the harvest you know.)
~ThetaLambda259
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