Engaging teenagers for an entire class period can be challenging for any teacher.
Because a teenager's emotional energy is high and many emotions and experiences are new, (adults have already experienced these waves of emotions) teenagers are easily impressionable, moody, sensitive and easily excitable.
It is easy to see teenagers moodiness for example as annoying, but when you get to understand them better, you will engage them more effectively.
In this way, you won't see them as "discipline problems," but people with legitimate needs and wants.
The key is for teachers to channel this emotional energy into active learning experiences and fun lessons.
Role playing, panel discussions and games are authentic and positive and a good way to start.
Listen to Your Teenage Students If you find you have 10 minutes to spare at the end of a lesson, use it to your advantage by opening a discussion.
What are some of their concerns and feelings? You'd be surprised what they reveal.
Accept everything as legitimate which creates a safe haven for teenagers in a world where they may think their opinions and ideas are unacceptable.
Use Small Group Work for Problem Solving Provide a practical problem that small groups of students can solve using class content.
Create small groups of students and have them make a decision or answer a focused question that solves practical problems related to the content they are studying.
The best advice for any teacher is to change the attitude.
See adolescents as exuberant and full of life rather than exasperating.
Have a laugh with them.
Connect with them on their own level and you'll remember what it was like to be a teenager, too.
This will guide you to understanding them and their learning needs better.