I’ve tried open discussion, games, group work, even letting them pick topics — but my students just sit there blank-faced or stare at their phones. I’m not trying to be a performer but it’s exhausting teaching to silence. How do you reach a class that just doesn’t want to be reached/taught?
How do you handle a class that just refuses to participate no matter what you try?
r/Advice
Comments
Silence in a classroom isn’t passive; it’s a power struggle, and you cannot win it by playing nice. Set the expectation that participation is survival, not a suggestion, or risk watching your class sink into apathy forever.
If it’s allowed in the school, first thing is pick up the phones. That was a big problem in my classroom cause they were so involved with their devices. Another thing to do is add a participation grade with an active chart showing where they are. Try to make the experience positive like make it extra credit more than I’ll fail you. I have been where you are and sometimes nothing you do can work. However, give this a shot and see if it works.
Don’t take it personally. Truly. Sometimes a class is just that mix of burned out, mismatched, or socially checked-out students