Very unmotivated Y11

[PumpkinPie2016]

I am tearing my hair out with them!

I teach a core subject and they are seriously unmotivated no matter what I do

I am trying to vary activities in lessons but all are met with apathy. For example, I found a video with some questions for them to answer while they watched last week - probably 3 out of the class actually tried the questions while watching. The rest just waited for answers.

Trialled short quizzes with a small chocolate prize to recap prior learning - most don't even attempt the questions, others cheating when peer marking so in the end it was abandoned.

Gave out practise exam questions for hw with the intention of going through them in class - 4/18 handed them in so I spent a free emailing/calling parents. I ended up with a total of 8/18 and most of those were very poor attempts, lots of blanks.

They are doing zero revision - I have provided video links, revision timetable, revision PowerPoints, websites, quizzes - matters not because they simply do not revise

Massive pressure from above for results and I honestly don't know what else to do with them?! I am keepig records of what I am doing and who is/isn't engaging, contact with parents etc. But that won't get results.

I'm not well either with a bug - worked yesterday but was off ill today. Desperately need to go in tomorrow but still feel meh.

Anyone got any tips at all for motivator Y11? I've honestly never had such a lazy class. It's not just my class - others say the same but it's so draining!

If you have a behaviour policy start using it for lack of work.

We have a ready to learn system - one warning and you’re on the board, 2 and you go to isolation and have a detention.

“If you have not done X within 3 mins then you’re on the board for not following instructions. If it continues, you’re out” - is similar possible within your school?

Plus a smiley board for those getting on with it - raffle tickets for them and a prize draw at end of term.

A totally consistent application of the above has broken the lazy habit -it’s also sharpened up my scaffolding so I know for sure everyone can attempt work.

What do you do when they don’t engage / don’t complete homework etc? There must be a behaviour policy to follow, no?

The carrot obviously doesn’t work, do you have any sticks in your arsenal, as already mentioned?

The more you can rope in parents, the better. Get on their nerves with persistent phone calls and inconvenient after school detentions so that they will get their kids in line.

Is ther any chance at all that your panic is rubbing off on them and they are reacting by switching off? They might feel nagged. Watch the pitch and pace of your voice,a nd the type of words you sue in lessons, and try to chill out a bit.

I started teaching ages ago so am of the 'meh' generation. I know we are held more accountable but I can't get worked up about it. It's their look out, their responsibility. if they don't work hard enough, they will learn, sooner or later.

Keep contacting parents because that is the key , but also take a step back and just praise and reward those who are doing the work. Concentrate on the 4/18.

I am gobsmacked at schools that send kids to isolation for such crimes as beign a bit disaffected. Maybe the isolation isn't what it means in our school :ie a scary room where they spend all day except it isn't that scary. But the way things have gone at my place, shouting , swearing and kicking doors down reuslts in a bit of a talking to and a lunch detention, if that!