Dear all
I know we dont normally look at the problems of delivering and enabling kids
who are sucessful within mainstream education but Im looking at a specific
problem that arises amongst a freelance team delivering workshops with
12-14yrs (occasionally last year primary as well). The problem seems to be
more prevalent with kids from exam driven public schools. They shut up and
although are willing to answer right/wrong questions (sometimes not even
that) they will not engage in abstract or creative thought or guess work
whether as a class or in smaller groups. They seem to zone out/shut down
even with educators who are good at engaging kids. (it appears to equate to
confusion/low level stress!)
Does anyone else have this problem?
Have you tried any of the following:
1. Developing resources that a familiar teacher can deliver (are they not
feeling comfortable)
2. Individual based discovery/ experiential work (do they prefer to think on
their own and dont want to work as a group)
3. More challenging activities (are we boring them!)
4. Including more 'consumption' in the sessions e.g. appealing to things
they might be into; although this is more difficult with kids who arent as
involved with what can easily be identified as consumer popular culture as
in an hour how do you identify their diverse interests! (are we not
appealing to their short term interests)
5. Are there ways of getting kids into a teaching style that is markedly
different from their school?
6. Has anyone come across ways of conceiving this group as of their age
rather than as teenagers (as perhaps four does) or children ?
Any experiences, thoughts or sucessful resources for this age
group/background would be appreciated !
thanks
Anne Cunningham
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