K.I.S.S.- Keep It Simple for Students. When in doubt, simplify your expectations/rules and post them as a daily reminder to all: students, classroom assistants and even guests. These 5 cover the basics.
1. Come calmly to the group.
2. Listen.
3. Participate.
4. Strive for quality work.
5. Help with clean-up and closure before leaving the group.
Details:
1. If students arrive at the group calmly, that means they are in control of themselves and palying attention to the group leader. They will be able to wait to be invited to sit down and will sit quietly until the last member arrives and the activity can begin.
2. If students are listening, they will be hear the warm-up activity, the directions and will be focused to ask whatever questions they have about your expectations.
3. If students participate, they will take away more from the group activity than if they sit back and listen or let their attention drift off to unrelated, personal issues. They will also be bale to reduce their misunderstandings.
4. If students strive for quality work, their minds will have been engaged in the activity and they will take away information they can apply at a future time.
5. If students help with clean-up and closure before leaving the group, they will have taken ownership of the task right through to the time they leave. This step is often left off by small group leaders who are in a hurry to finish and move on. This step cinches the knot on student responsibility and reinforces the notion that doing a task doesn’t end until you clean-up.