Teaching 40 kids in a class (Attention: High School ALTs)

Submitted by SubarashiiAnnie on Thu, 2008/08/28 - 10:02.

I just started at a new school and it rocks, But at my previous school, I only taught 20 kids in a class and now I have 40. They're good kids but my JTEs are not really helping me control the classroom so I'm pretty much alone in keeping the peace. I was wondering if anyone has found any ways to engage/control larger classes? I'm doing alright but I'd like to do better. Games are way fun I think but I'm worried that it might get too chaotic with 40 kids running around. Correction: I'm not worried, I'm worried that my JTE might be worried. Anyway, any tips, ideas for bigger classes would be awesome. I'm pretty animated in class and up for anything but not really into silence or sitting still in desks.

Thanks and peace!

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phill's picture

i dont think think there is

Submitted by phill on Thu, 2008/08/28 - 11:10.

i don't think think there is much you can do to keep them quiet besides giving them a work sheet to do. i try and walk around the class and talk to the kids or ill start to tell a story about my weekend or something i did when i was their age. if the JTE can translate it sometimes the kids get into it.

or you could just pop-lock, it usually works with for my JTE.

Brent's picture

The Quiet Method

Submitted by Brent on Fri, 2008/08/29 - 13:53.

I've never been in a high school class, but one thing that might be worth trying is the quiet method. Basically, being an animated person during class myself, when the kids would get a little too rowdy just getting very still myself and waiting for the kids to notice would work. When they eventually would quiet down I would resume speaking but in a quiter voice than before.

This worked really well in some classes were a lot of kids took interest in the moods of the teacher, but in classes were the kids just wanted to chatter no matter what it accomplished nothing. So, try it and see. Maybe it'll work.

******************************************
Brent Thomas
ALT Advisor
tel: 027-226-4618
email: thomas-br(at)pref(dot)gunma(dot)jp
******************************************

phill's picture

phill wrote: i don't think

Submitted by phill on Fri, 2008/08/29 - 13:58.
phill wrote:

i don't think think there is much you can do to keep them quiet besides giving them a work sheet to do. i try and walk around the class and talk to the kids or ill start to tell a story about my weekend or something i did when i was their age. if the JTE can translate it sometimes the kids get into it.

or you could just pop-lock, it usually works with for my JTE.

wow, with a paragraph like that i should be lucky to be called an English teacher.

bahia's picture

Game with a silent element

Submitted by bahia on Fri, 2008/08/29 - 20:48.

Try games that are active, but use a silent element. For example, the students need to listen to what the teacher is saying in order to do something more active (like Reverse Jeopardy).
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You can also try Brent's advice if they get rowdy. It's worked well for me in high school.