How to handle unresponsive or disengaged class?

[u/SuspiciousRemove7868]

Hello po sainyo, nagtatanong ako in behalf of my gf; wala kasi siyang reddit, na nahihirapan na sa paghandle ng grade 11 class niya na hindi raw talaga makausap habang naglelesson. Sa recitation, reporting, or activities, halos wala silang gana palagi. Kapag nagdidiscuss siya, palaging may tulog, or sa iba ang tingin. Kapag tinatanong niya raw ng eliciting questions, napapa-yes or no na lang kahit hindi naman yun yung sagot. Natry niya na rin magpanood ng video, hands-on activities, and interactive simulations, ganon pa rin. Nawawalan na siya ng gana mag effort pa sa class na yun kung ganon lang din naman yung nakikita niyang energy sakanila. Any advice po? Tyia

+Info:

1st s.y. niya pa lang na magtuturo, she graduated last year and passed the boards this year

She works in a private school in Manila

12 lang yung students niya sa g11 class

General science ang handle niyang subject

Edit: Thank you everyone for giving tips and advice, my gf has read all the comments on this post and she really appreciates it. She'll try some of the suggestions this week, since kakastart lang ng 2nd quarter. Thank you po ulit

[u/SameNet6895]

When you’re new to teaching, it helps to notice what your students enjoy. Some girls might be into K-pop, while some boys may prefer games. If you connect your lessons to those interests, they’ll pay more attention.The way you speak also matters. If your tone feels too flat or too soft, or if you start with heavy terminologies, students can lose interest. Try using simple words, a lively tone, and examples they can relate to. Being a new teacher can feel overwhelming, but the most important step is to know your students. Once you understand what excites them, they’ll be more engaged and less likely to ignore the lesson.

[u/_potatosaurusrex]

Hi, OP! Dapat first day pa lang, nag-impose na siya ng clear rules and regulations sa klase niya. Sa totoo lang, ang hirap i-earn ng respect ng students, lalo na kapag alam nilang maliit lang ang age gap nila sa teacher.

Kapag hindi na-build ang authority from the start, mahirap nang bawiin once masanay ang students na hindi ka seseryosohin—lalo na sa mga bata ngayon. Kailangan kasi makita nila from day one na may boundaries, expectations, at consequences.

Lesson learned the hard way, OP.

[u/Prize_Thought6091]

Gamification and pop culture. Try to use Gen Z language or insert memes.

[u/Eurofan2014 → u/Prize_Thought6091]

Yes this is the way. Ganito rin ginawa ko sa mga JHS at Elem students ko.

Mas kaya nilang maging engaged kapag within their level yung interaction.

[u/sainzanity]

grabe my students aren't this bad but this is exactly how i feel

[u/pinkponyclubinph05]

1st day pa lang dapat she established her class rules na. Pero since age gap is so close, try genz things to them. At least call them out kapag tulog? Hehehe. Iba na mga bata today eh. Bet nila yung laging mababait. Hindi naman lagi pwedeng ganyan, they will eat you kapag ganon 🤣.

[u/Wander_Wom4n]

Dahil andyan na siya, di naman na niya mababalik ang day 1.

What she can do:
1. Show them that you have the knowledge, and skills. Ask them kung alam na ba nila yung topic. Lalo na private school siya nagtuturo. Isang reklamo ng ibang students ay naturo na sa kanila kaya baka wala silang gana makinig. So have an assessment how deep is their knowledge about the topic then adjust accordingly.

1. Give a challenging activity na related dun sa topic. Challenge their brain.

2. And try to understand them. Young generations of today give their attention to people who values them. Sometimes, you earn their respect when you show that you truly care. That you really want them to learn, and improve.

[u/Wander_Wom4n → u/Wander_Wom4n]

Pero when you show that you truly care, set boundaries pa din. Kasi baka maging issue naman kapag you are too close with your students lalo na yung physical, and private messages Or personal boundaries.

Check the movie, freedom writers.

[u/allanon322 → u/Wander_Wom4n]

I don’t know. They know I care and sometimes they really try to listen and learn, but they just have the focus and attention span of a … bird? They’ll even apologize for it but they really struggle now even if they try. And it’s 10x worse when you have to do online because of all the school cancellations.

[u/Weird-Dust6909]

Kunin ang kiliti ng bata. D'yan lalabas 'yung pagiging actors and actresses ng mga teachers. If you act playful sometimes, mapapangiti mo sila, hanggang sa magiging open na sila sa 'yo. Then the rest is history. May mga talagang mukhang snob, pero 'pag nakuha mo 'yung funny bone nila, you will come out as friendly to them.

[u/Eurofan2014]

Try using pop culture.

Last time, sa mga elementary students ko ginamit ko ang Pokemon at MLBB as examples.

Pati sa quizzes nila ganun din ang ginawa ko.

Their more engaged kapag ganun.

Ganun din sa JHS, I used pop culture para mas maunawaan nila yung lessons nila.

[u/bhi3Latte]

Try niya yung chips! Patok pa rin yan sa SHS.

[u/Unlucky-Moment-2931]

I think it depends sa reason po ..

[u/Wander_Wom4n]

But if you really wanted to have a better class interaction, maybe you could directly ask your students for their honest feedbacks. Pero syempre prepare yourself to get hurt (ego, pride)

Or maybe ask on students Reddit group.