High School Teacher Peas. Help me figure out what to do ...

I feel for you. I have a class of 33 8th graders and another class of 33 7th graders. I also teach math. My other class is science to the same kids. The lack of desire to do work is HUGE with my students. I have also instituted math lunch with me. They come with NO MATH. I don't get it. I've called home. I've issued detention. Nothing seems to motivate many of these kids. Just this week, I’ve revamped my classroom management to 1warning, time out, letter home, sent to the office. I was giving too many warnings because nothing is ever done when the kid goes to the office. Parents don't care if you call or send notes or emails or whatever. It's RIDICULOUS! Basically, it's all on me to get these kids motivated.

One thing my school (we are k-8, not HS but it might work?) has started to do is to assign the failing kids to "mentor" teachers. These are teachers who are not their regular ones. They have no say in their grades. They are more interested in the kids just being successful. They check in with the kids daily or weekly or somewhere in between. Whatever works for them as a team, I’ve seen things turn around in a big way for a few. I went from half my classes failing to about a quarter. The f's have gone up to VERY LOW D's but they're at least passing.

For grading, I give credit if every single problem was attempted in some form. Half credit is given if it's turned in the same day before school is out. I do not take late work.

I'm going to be following this thread because I can always use ideas to help me out. Know you're not alone in this game.

Won't get out pencils? don't use pencils. Give group work since they are so social. Like have them work in groups to solve problems. Think of real world problems that need algebra to handle, give each group a different problem and then they are to report to the class how they solved their problem. If they like to be social and get out of their seat, then give them work that makes them do that. Have them create posters in groups of the things they have to memorize -give them magazines to cut pics out of to illustrate other algebra things. Your classroom will not be quiet but perhaps the students will get involved in the work. It sounds like they are not going to be passing anyway, so what harm to try it their way instead of your way.

I'm not a teacher but nlwikins post made me think that some type of team competition might interest the class in learning. I have no suggestions as to how to incorporate team competition however.

www.qedcat.com/moviemath/

parkwayleaders.wikispaces.com/file/view/Purposeful+movement+in+Algebra.pdf

Last but not least, from my favorite teacher my kids ever had, can you have them ( as a project ) teach each other they will listen to each other. Nothing helps you learn like trying to show someone else.

Best of luck algebra is not an easy task to begin with. And with that many kids there are so many various learning styles going on. You certainly have your work cut out for you!

How about dividing the class into teams and having contests on the board to solve one problem at a time. Figure out a point system where each kid earns points according to how much you have to step in and help them.  For example, 2 points if they do the problem without assistance and 1 point if they need help.   Sometimes the competitive spirit gets kids excited and eager to learn.

First, if 31 of 32 are 3 or more years below grade level, I doubt that any of them are ready for Algebra I. So, figure out what math level they are at and work to improve that. (I know it probably won't be the required curriculum, but they aren't going to pass the end of course exam anyway. Maybe you can at least get them to improve enough to make a difference in subsequent classes.)

To deal with the lack of discipline and preparedness, institute a participation grade worth maybe 20% of their grades. Begin each quarter with every student having the lowest C grade in that category. For every day they come to class ready to go with homework done, pencils ready, etc. add one point. For every day they don't, subtract a point. Every time you have to reprimand a student, s/he loses a point. Every time the student volunteers to answer a question or participates positively, add a point. Every interruption loses a point. Every POSITIVE helping another student adds a point. If the kids care at all about their grade, they will quickly learn to fall inline. It takes a bit of work in the beginning on your part, but it does work. I made up a seating chart to track it. Tick marks above the name were positive, blow the name negative. And I would let students look at it to see how they were doing--very motivational.

I'd also split them into small groups of four or six and have them work together on daily exercises. If the group gets finished and gets a percentage you set correct, the whole group gets a good grade. Students get more out of working together--and you can circulate through through the room answering questions and helping as needed. When I do this with grammar exercises, student understanding and test grades are better than when they work individually, even though they are testing individually.

I taught full classes of what were then called "skills" level classes, which were by definition students 3 or more years below grade level. there was no way that supposedly 11th grade students who were reading at an 8th grade or lower level could handle the American literature mandated for high school juniors. You're in the same situation only in Algebra I. If your admin doesn't split up this class among several other higher level classes, you're going to have to adjust your curriculum down!

Have you ever read Teach Like a Champion? I read it about 5 years before I retired and it gave me a renewed energy in the classroom. I had little notes posted all around the room to remind me to say or do certain things since their were so many GREAT suggestions in the book.

Another thing you might want to consider is asking to observe an elementary school teacher or two. I went to an Open House at my son's high school and his science teacher said she had observed some elementary school teachers and watched how they had the kids interact and grouped them similarly with group materials/supplies. My son loved that class because it wasn't based on lecture as much as the teacher spoke for no more than five minutes and then had the kids interacting and working to complete small steps of a task. He also earned 8 college science credits for the yearlong class. It wasn't an easy course.

Kids who are really low just aren't motivated by normal lessons. Could you incorporate some "Escape the Room" lessons that involve kids solving problems to open different locks or clues to solve a problem? EDU Breakout Games has the kits (you can make them yourself) and then you apply your objectives to the lessons. You can have kids compete in two teams or give them a certain amount of time that if they complete the challenge there isn't any homework or whatever you choose.

When all else fails, remember that kids are a lot like puppies. They thrive on kudos and small treats. Praising goes a long way with kids who hate math. I used to keep a pocketful of Smarties as I walked around the room and handed them out. It was amazing how hard they would work for those. You'd even get kids pointing out how helpful their neighbor was and they began to have a better team mentality.

I taught elementary school, so my kids were used to all of these "hooks." My husband taught high school for 27 years and he often tried lots of my ideas and the kids loved it. He teaches at the college level now and last week emailed all of his students in one of his more challenging classes and told them to make sure they showed up for class because there would be games and candy. It was on the Tuesday of Halloween and kids often miss classes that day. He said he had a full class and they reviewed for a test by using games and passed out candy to winners and his kids thanked him for doing something different. It does take more effort, but structure and fun do make for a more motivated class.

Another idea

Can you find retired math teachers, engineers...anybody who does/deals with math to help you with this class?

I'd try classcraft rather than class dojo. It is more geared for older students.