How to keep unmotivated middle schoolers engaged during homeroom
Mandatory homeroom periods often leave students tired, resistant, and only wanting to chat with friends, making free time impossible due to the risk of classroom chaos. Teachers end up feeling like babysitters because standard activities feel too hard or uninteresting, preventing students from participating without constant complaining.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Attempting to find and use low-cost dollar store activities to fill the time
- 2Switching the class structure to a music appreciation class and doing worksheets
- 3Incorporate popular music from TikTok or video game soundtracks to boost engagement
- 4Gamifying activities or adding brain breaks to let students relax
- 5Working only with the students who want to participate and moving on from the rest
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“This year not only is my beginner 6th grade class only like 8 kids, they don't want to be there!”source ↗
“Complains after complains aaaaall class, too tired, don't really like it, too hard, its too much, no other electives are good either tho, don't wanna do concerts, don't want to play their instrument today (everyday), they just wanna chat with their friends the entire class.”source ↗
“I have a group of 30 7th graders who have no interest in any of these activities and essentially, it's like we're babysitting.”source ↗
“I can't just give them free time or the classroom will just be chaotic.”source ↗
“I'm looking for activities or ideas that I can do with them that will keep them engaged that they will actually enjoy doing.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 6How to balance classroom control with letting students talk
- 3How to get 100% engagement during partner share and turn & talk
- 4What to do when your child is bored in kindergarten
- 4How to handle students falling asleep in class
- 5How do you talk to a defensive parent who denies their child's behavior?
- 3How to stop hallway distractions when door windows can't be covered