Lesson Ideas for mixed group of delinquents and special needs?

[Walrus Down]

I have three middle school classes each week with about ten students each for grades 1,2, and 3.  These classes have a mixed bag of some "trouble makers and mentally challenged" students.  The co-teacher is very nice but has low-level english and has resorted to having the students repeat every word after him with various degrees of accuracy. 

I have already decided to forego the lessons in the book for their grade and focus on really basic beginners stuff.  I was just wondering if anyone here had experience with a class such as this and could give me some advice. Half the students try really hard not to care and the other half try really hard but obviously have a mental disability.

Also, these classes are in a small, well tiny, room with no computer or projector. I could possibly change the room on occasion, but not often.

Any ideas?

[hannahlumurphy]

Just play games with them. Actually, non technological games can be the simplest and most effective for challenged students. Scattergories, pictionary, things like that. In my experience with similar classes I had to abandon trying to teach them proper lessons because it was simply not happening. If the students can garner even a bit of excitement and interest about English by playing a fun simple game, then you're doing your job.

[Ytse Jam]

I know this is a major over simplification, but in my experience using action and movement in class is pretty effective. In my school almost all of my low level kids are taekwondo players, and so they really connect with bodily/kinesthetic type stuff. So if you have room stuff like that is the way forward.

One time I ran a review quiz game before the midterm, but rather than just giving them points I set up a Jenga tower at the front of the room, and if they got the question right, then they could pick another student in the room to remove a block. It was a small change, but they were really interested as it gave them something to get up and do, and made it competitive on a different level.

Like I said, I know it’s MUCH easier said than done, but it’s something to think about.