Organize for success: plan ahead.
The first minutes of your group time determine the success of your task. That’s when you ‘set the stage’ through your demeanor and expectations.
1. Focus on your current task. Leave your life outside the classroom at the door so you can give 100% of your focus to the students you will be meeting with.
2. Read through your activity and knows: what you are expected to accomplish, what time constraints are in place, what issues or details might trip up the students (and work to diminish their impact).
3. Reduce distractions around your group meeting place: clean-up messy desks or tables, student backpacks, etc. on the nearby floor, projects on nearby counters. Create a focused work place so the students can concentrate.
4. Seat yourself so you have the most control. Sit at the side of the table not at the end. That will keep the group closer to you and allow you to use a softer voice when giving directions.
5. Learn student names. It’s a sign that you care about them. Use 3×5 cards with personal notes if you need reminders. Everyone appreciates being called by name.
6. Give the students clear, concise directions. Plan the introduction to your task so you can state it in 1-2 meaning-filled sentences. If the task has a long list of directions, start with the first set and add the others as needed. Most students take in 1-3 directions at a time. Younger students may be limited to remembering 0-1 so provide reminders during the task.
7. Model your behavioral and work expectations throughout the task. Remind students to wait their turn, use ‘thumb up’ when they have something to add to discussion and to work to complete as much as possible during your time together.
When you are thoughtful as you start your group, you create a calm, reassuring, stress-free work time which will encourage students to be at their personal best.