Classroom boredom is not uncommon. Students and teachers get bored with the same old lessons. Teachers do not try to have lessons that bore students. They try to create lessons that interest students.
- There are several strategies to eliminate boredom in the classroom.
- Talking all day leads to boredom because teachers begin to sound like Charlie Brown. This habit is easily corrected by using a change in voice or pitch. Some teachers keep interest alive by using an accent.
- Worksheets are boring. Many worksheets are busy work for students. They do not raise interest or curiosity. They may be cute, but they are dull. An activity that requires manipulating objects piques more interest and engages the brain.
- Routines are boring after a while. Too much structure is predictable. Change it up once in a while to engage students.
- Have some fun. Being serious day after day gets boring. Remember to smile
- Be a lifelong learner. Learn with the students.
- Movers and shakers get attention. Don’t be a ‘sage-on-stage‘. Shake things up and let the students be movers.
Once students get bored, misbehavior is sure to follow. As students become disengaged or bored, it may follow them through the school years. Thus, they lose interest in school.
Losing interest in school happens because of a lack of varied teaching methods. Didactic teaching and the need to memorize lead to disinterest in the lessons.
A focus on standardized tests can bore students because teachers fear exploring other subjects. They lose their creativity.
The Years Ahead
The lack of interest in school leads to high dropout rates. There is no motivation to pursue interests in a career. This can lead to depression, stress, and anxiety. Creating exciting lessons gives students a love for learning.
Students become disengaged when the task becomes difficult or confusing. The simple trick to keep boredom away is to help students when a task becomes difficult. Persistence on a task depends on how lessons are structured. Streaming a topic is familiar to students. This may be an easy way to keep them on topic.
Bored students look for something engaging. A teacher’s goal is to offer engaging options. Find ways to support what students need. Add humor to break the monotony. When boredom sets in, talk to students to find out what they need.
Give up control and let students make a few choices. Boredom is a complex issue. It may be the result of an instilled attitude. However, meaningful and relevant classroom activities tend to engage students.
