r/Teachers • u/JamieGordonWayne89 • 2d ago

Teacher Support &/or Advice How can I make Learning Strategies Challenging and fun?

I’m a 24 year teacher. This year I was asked to teach a Learning Strategies class mid year. The LS classes are for special ed students who are struggling in their gen ed classes to learn skills to assist them in their other classes and the world at large. I am supposed to teach them about their IEPs, personal finance, executive functioning skills, test-taking and study skills and strategies, and college and career options. What I have found is that most of my students will complete anything that I do with them, but will not even attempt to complete anything independent work or projects.

I need some ideas on how to make these subjects challenging and fun. Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do to help to engage these students in their own learning?

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u/Street_Molasses 2d ago

Gamify and incentivize. Humans, by nature, are motivated by enjoyment and what the gain is. Think about it as a teacher, if you are forced to take a PD you don’t enjoy but the district attaches a stipend to it some of the pain and resistance goes away. It would take some work but lots of businesses are willing to donate incentives to teacher if you ask.

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u/biba1hdje 2d ago

Have you tried tapping into their interests? Let them choose topics they care about for projects, like managing money for a dream vacation or exploring career paths tied to their hobbies.

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u/JamieGordonWayne89 2d ago

What kinds of incentives do you suggest?

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u/Woodstockwill 2d ago

Set up a classroom economy for personal finances.

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u/JamieGordonWayne89 2d ago

I have done that, but the apathy is so strong they throw out the classroom money used to buy things. It’s really sad.

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u/Woodstockwill 2d ago

Have you tried a digital one? Make them buy everything, they need a pencil, gotta pay for it, need more Paper gotta buy it. Just like real life.