Category Archives: Assistant Tips
Help for Classroom Assistants Leading Small Groups
Classroom helpers are an amazing resource. The extra hands, eyes and brain power lets students receive help sooner than when its one teacher and thirty students. Leading a small group to work on a skill, practice using a tool or studying a curriculum component. Here are a few suggestions to help a small group run… Read More »
ONE Goal for 2019
As 2018 becomes a memory, I hope you will consider setting a goal for 2019: to work for one hour in one classroom, in one school, one day a week. Every hour we give in support of students and teachers is a valuable hour. In one hour, one day a week you could: Round up… Read More »
Metacognition and Math
The four parts remain the same across learning math concepts: Plan and Organize skim and preview tasks breakdown the parts decide how to proceed Self-Monitor check your progress troubleshoot problems ask for help when truly ‘stuck’ Self Reflect assess our strategies Think-Pair-Share-Compare with others Direct Our Own Learning know what we know know what we… Read More »
Special Offers for Teachers, Classrooms, and Parents
The school year is winding down for most educators. Hopefully this has been a great year with tons of student success and limited teacher stress. Before you step away for your much deserved summer break, I want to offer you opportunities to consider: FREE Summer math packets for K-2 or 3-5 grades FREE math games… Read More »
Volunteer Tip #3 – Set Examples by Your Actions
As 2017 draws to a close, let’s look at ways to improve our time spent volunteering in classrooms. Ask yourself, “Am I setting a good example for students?” Are you a 1 or a 2? (1) Do you pay attention to directions given by the teacher or (2) are you having side conversations with students… Read More »
Volunteer Tip #2 – Listen Actively
As 2017 draws to a close, let’s look at ways to improve our time spent volunteering in classrooms. So, what does active listening look like? Meet students at their eye level. Listen to their comments or questions. Try to understand what they want/need from you. Attempt to have them tell you what they already know… Read More »
Volunteer Tip #1 – Be Authentic
As 2017 draws to a close, let’s look at ways to improve our time spent volunteering in classrooms. First let’s look at being authentic. Pre-schoolers through high school age students want people to speak to them with their authentic voices. There’s no need to speak slowly or with cute comments and gestures. Be yourself. That… Read More »
Brain-based Learning Tip#3 – Importance of Feedback
I recently read an article on edutopia.org, the George Lucas Educational Foundation site, about Brain-based Learning. What follows are some of their thoughts and tips with my two cents added in. Tip #3 All ages of students need positive and constructive feedback rather than praise that says. “That’s nice. I like it.” It’s important to… Read More »
5 Hints to Get Students Started on Their Work
Use these 5 techniques to help students get started on classroom work, small group work AND at home during homework hour: Active Listening Work with students at their eye level. Establish eye contact. Ask follow-up questions to indicate you know what was said. Develop a habit of valuing all questions asked. Questioning Strategies Ask “What”… Read More »