Pre-teens...how can we cope with them?

Hello again.

I have to admit that pre-teens can be tricky sometimes. However, if you can find some motivating and challenging activities (challenging but not too demanding...they are almost teenagers, after all ^^) you'll be surprised at their reactions. They want to do things and they want to prove they aren't kids anymore. Here you are a couple of recommendations (they worked really well for me!!).

1. Why don't you try a scavenger's hunt? It's very easy and they love it. Just give them a paper with some questions about the topic you're studying that moment and hide cards with they information they need all around the classroom. They will have to find them and select the information needed to answer every question. They can work alone or in pairs. This activity gives them a sense of independence (and looking for the cards can be really funny, just be creative and find good hiding places!!).

2. If your class isn't fit for a scavenger's hunt or your students are too "nervous", you can try a quieter activity: making up sentences. Just give them an envelope full of words (try to include the vocabulary and structures you are working about) and tell them to make up as many sentences as they can. Let them work in pairs or little groups, they help one another and it's really fun!!!

I promise these two activities will do the trick (though they are not for every day, maybe). Enjoy!!