teaching 7th graders...

stairwaystudios

stairwaystudios

Active member
Hello,

Need some advice. I've been selected to teach a 1hr summer school class to 7th graders. I've never taught before so the idea to even teach teenagers baffles and scares me.


Any Advice on what or how to teach this class and how to make it interesting?


thanks!

:thumbsup:
 
Create a clear learning objective. In order to teach it, start with something they know and extend from there. Organize an activity for them to practice and explore the details. Review.

The number one rule with teenagers is do not embarrass them.

Read up on Madelaine Hunter (how to design a lesson plan) and Howard Gardner (multiple intelligences).

Always have more material than time will allow.

"Be a guide on the side, not a sage on the stage." In other words, don't stand in front of the class and talk. Allow them ownership of their learning.
 
Hmm, how about a role play? Get them into groups, give them a script and get a few of them to act and one to direct. Get the director to change the way the actors deliver the script to change the meaning through their direction. Then, they can swap roles and try for a different meaning. You could even film the best group during the class.
 
An hour is really a short time, I used to make a film in a day with students, starting by talking to them about film, creating a short story and then filming it. The older the students get the more you have to engage them. Its always good to start by finding out what they know about production and building from there. Maybe even show them a short film to get them interested.

J.P.
 
7th graders?
My advice, Don't even try to teach anything thats not "FUN".
Don't try to go into ANY detail other than the basics.

Ive taught COLLEGE 101 classes a few times and its amazing even at that level
how if you start to try to go just a tad advanced (above 101) just how many eyes glaze over.
 
I teach this every day of the school year to the exact same grade, plus 6th and 8th. Teach the class by making a film- or a couple of films. Let them create the script, split them up and let them shoot it, bring in a laptop and let them edit it, and publish it to a format that they can put on their PSP, 360, DVD or other gaming or entertainment platform. I went from teaching language arts to teaching this full time, and the kids have gotten so good that they've won major awards. Just make sure that you are honest and allow them to explore, but have set up very clear cut boundaries, procedures, rules and regulations and you shouldn't have any problems.
 
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