Any 6th grade teachers out there?

[Fountain79]

I am a middle school spanish teacher. All three grades are challenging but 6th grade tends to be the hardest. Any suggestions from any 6th grade teachers out there with any ideas on how to work with that age group?

[dannofoot]

1. While not a 6th grade teacher...

...I help coach my sons' school speech team in that grade. I know your dilemma.

Prior to that grade, they treat subjects fairly equally. After those middle school grades, many treat the subjects more seriously knowing that they will have to know them for high school. But while in that grade, they seem to just be learning the tools of disdain.

One of mine is in eighth grade, the other in sixth. You're right, the sixth graders HATE Spanish class. To them ,it's 1) Simply not cool to speak differently, and they feel stupid when they try; and 2)they see no benefit from it.

Suggestion: An old acting exercise. Turn their little worlds around; give them an exercise where they wake up knowing nothing but Spanish, and they have to convince their parents what they want for breakfast, for dinner, etc. Have them practice it at home, even if it means miming things. For one day, they can only speak Spanish.

It will make them feel rebellious, it will set them apart, it will give them a valid excuse to be different. Partner them up with a friend or two to make it easier, and let other teachers know that it is a one day exercise.

At that age, a foreign language has to be made cool, rather than just a subject. Believe me, I've coached a lot of kids in Speech whose parents had forced them into it; they hated it. I made them walk around all day as the character in their speech, and they loved it; it got them much more comfortable with it. Perhaps something like this would work?

[deebo550]

2. My youngest sister is a 6th grade teacher.

She always says that out of all the grades she has taugh, sixth is by far the worst. I wish I had some good suggestions, but I will tell you that you are not alone in thinking they are the roughest bunch.

[Not_Giving_Up]

3. I'm the parent of a sixth grader

Spanish isn't offered here until high school, so I can't offer too much advice there. I remember Spanish my sophmore year (I was supposed to take it as a Freshman, but they screwed up and put me in native speaker instead of beginner. By the time they got around to people with last names starting with "W", the classes were full, and I ended up in Home Ec.) My teacher was awesome, she had been in the Peace Corps and would tell us about the different countries in South America she had been to. she made it exciting. I remember that, at first, no matter how hard I tried, it wouldn't work for me. One day, a light bulb came on, and it all clicked.

[roguevalley]

4. treat them like they were capable and be demanding. Be firm in the

start and allow the friendship to come to you. I found if I didn't have structure and firm resolve, if I was too lax in the beginning, it ruined the year. They will always be your friends in the end, even if they will also sell you to the devil --hormones you know-- but let it happen later rather than sooner. You can't get back control once lost. Don't be grim but remember, you are the leader. Sixth grade can be a blast.

[spacelady]

5. Excellent Advice, start out hard, you can always ease up.

Former 8th grade English & High School Art teacher. Also, beware of parents whose kids can do no wrong!

[TallahasseeGrannie]

6. I am

feed them a lot.