"This class is boring! We do the same thing every day. Why can't we ever do anything fun?" You try hard to present quality lessons and it does sting a bit when they respond with yawns and complaints. Teachers can't compete with students' technology-focused lives outside of class. So don't even try. You can make your class more interesting by trying a few simple ideas to spice it up a bit.

* Novelty: Teenagers, especially, crave novelty. It captures their attention immediately. Their school days are pretty dull, so just a tiny change on your part can get big results. Ideas: Halfway through the period have students stand up and turn their desks around to face the back wall. Deliver a part of your lecture standing on your desk. Anything unexpected will work

* Humor: No matter their age, Kids enjoy humor. 6 year-olds will find knock-knock jokes hysterical. 17 year-olds will groan but enjoy them as well. You can start the period with a joke, a cartoon, a funny story. Make sure the humor doesn't ridicule any particular group Caution: Sarcasm is not humor.

* Become a story teller: Humans have a natural affinity for the story. This was how history was passed on before writing developed. I've run into former students years later and they often bring up a particular story that I told in history class. They still remember it! Write down funny things that you observe and weave them into stories that are relevant to the topic you're discussing. Stories can't also be poignant but make sure you prepare kids properly before you bring out strong emotions in them. The internet is a valuable source in looking for true stories about historical figures and events. Telling stories is one of the best ways to capture student interest. One technique is to begin a story, get to a climatic point and then tell students you will finish it tomorrow.

* Bring in a worksheet that includes pictures to be colored in. Give them colored pencils or crayons and 15 minutes to color. You might not believe it but high school kids love to color. In 5 minutes your class will be silent, with students absorbed in coloring in their pictures.

* Play simple games. You can find lots of ideas for inexpensive games on the internet. The game can be used to introduce a unit or for a review.

* Try to add a simulation experience when possible. An English teacher at my school set up a shantytown in the courtyard to provide background experience for The Grapes of Wrath. The students sat on the concrete under tarps and ate food out of cans. It even rained which added to the ambiance. It was a great experience for the kids.

* Enjoy your job. Be enthusiastic when you present your lessons. Your enthusiasm can't help but stick to them a little bit!

Barbara is a professional speaker, seminar/workshop presenter, staff development trainer with 32 years of classroom experience.
Her book, A Teacher's Book of 10s: Best ways to Do Everything in Your Classroom, will be published in the summer of 2011.

Contact Barbara at http://www.barbaratoney.com