Greetings!

I am posting on here to seek advice on any tips or tricks that have worked for middle school teachers that have 3rd grade classes that leave you thinking you just talked to yourself for 45 minutes.

My school is extremely low level and on top of the limited 2x a month I already see each class their 2 CT's are probably the worst at speaking English (meaning one of them has said a total of 5 whole grammatically incorrect English sentences to me in my $4+ months here) to the students.

My grade 1's and 2's have been doing well with my new format of listening to an English pop song and filling in the blanks/ watching videos and saying/writing down what they see/ playing a game, but when it comes to my grade 3's I leave class thinking "wow, I could have talked to a wall for 45 minutes and felt like it learned/spoke more English".. I also had set up a reward sticker system last semester and it just wasn't motivating enough.

I was doing the waygook book lessons last semester and they were bored, now I'm trying the more fun approach and it's not working as well. Do I just ignore it, do my thing and just enjoy the easiness of this job?

Any suggestions that have worked to get them engaged (at all) is much appreciated!!

I would do games, games, games then sneak in some more educational stuff.

     I've only been here a couple of months but had the same situation.  I was told my students were low-level.  In my case, however, I have found low level means not involved. From Waygook,  I understand English, cases is not a wildly popular  class.  What has been working for me is coming up with activities where they have to talk, using vocabulary that they have learned from me or is being covered in their books (I prefer from me, because it is stuff they can use right away).   

     First, it started of with getting two kids to talk because the others were afraid. Once everyone saw that it was o.k. to speak, they have started opening up more.  I reward those who attempt. Try not to be too game  heavy. Games can be fun, but if you use them all the the time, kids aren't retaining, the are just regurgitating. Also, if you are gaming all the time, they don't take you seriously (I learned that very quickly).

I hope that helps.

I have small white boards which I use all of the time. I use the attached game (borrowed from somewhere else on Waygook) for any and all topics. Just change the language to whatever your target is.

Each team of two students writes a question and an answer on their whiteboard (you could use paper) using one phrase from each column. I do the same on my own whiteboard, keeping mine a secret.

I read what I have on mine, and the teams score one point for each phrase that is the same as what I have. (A total of four possible points each time.) Then, click on each part of your phrase, it disappears, and repeat with fewer options. At the end of the first round find teams with the most points and reward. I use small candies, and they love it.

A variation is to change the game and say no points for the same answers as the teacher. (This makes it easy to score 3 or 4 points in the first round.)

Also, once they get the hang of it, I give a student my whiteboard, and have them take my place. This gets them speaking, and more excited to play against their friends.

This game works for so many levels, and topics. I've had a great class each time I've used it.

I hope it helps!