It’s important to select activities you are comfortable handing over to an assistant (check out book p.155-156). Then decide: do you see the activity as a small group task? a mini-course? a procurement function? a classroom housekeeping task? Also, have you selected tasks that your potential volunteers have interest in? Use an inventory to gather that information (book, p.159).
Next, consider how you will organize your initial one-hour meeting:
1. List your goals, guidelines and rules. Briefly go over these with enough detail to explain your classroom.
2. Share the time slots and length of each small group you plan to consider.
3. Demonstrate your organization of materials for the assistants. One easy way is a tub or tote that will hold each activity folder (lesson plan, work sheets, student names, evaluation and comment form) as well as basic supplies (pencils, paper, ruler, scissor, etc.).
Adding adults takes time and planning, but once they are in place, you’ll be able to add enhancements and student support not possible when you work alone.