These days, there is little money available for social programs including education. So what’s to be done to help us reach every student in our care? Invite assistants into your classroom. Already doing that and still need help? Invite additional assistangs into your classroom. My focus for education across the last twenty years is promoting volunteers in… Read More »
As you make your new year’s resolutions, I hope you will include finding a way to share your talents with others. It is easy to make a resolve to change a personal habit so why not add one that will help others in schools? I’ve been a volunteer in classrooms since before my kids were… Read More »
In Washington state we’re voting on limiting class size. As a teacher from the state, I didn’t realize how large our classes were in comparison to other states until I spoke with teachers when I was traveling. There are so many issues tied to large classes; some are the physicl constraints of the rooms, more… Read More »
Looking to invite volunteers into your classrooms? Educating America Workbook, Getting Started: A Teacher’s Planning Guide for Including Adult Assistants is my a new resource and your answer! This a step-by-step approach that will save you hours of planning and organizing. It answers questions you may not have thought to ask yourself! Plus, the forms… Read More »
As the school year begins, consider this checklist for working with your school-age children. 1. Chores. Give kids doable, significant chores. Expect those chores be done on time and as completely as possible. 2. Backpacks. Kids can pack, unpack and repack their own backpacks if you show them when, where and how you want it… Read More »
A consistent schedule for home and school tasks is a key to establishing life-long work habits. This includes: * setting up meaningful jobs (emptying the trash, setting the table for family meals, feeding pets,carrying dishes to be washed, straightening bed covers, etc.) Individual value increases when all members of the family unit contribute to the family’s… Read More »
It’s important to select activities you are comfortable handing over to an assistant. Check out my book , Actively Igniting Your Classroom with 101 Strategies for Adult Assistants, for extensive details on using adult assistants. Then decide: do you see any actitivities as a small group task? a mini-course? a procurement function? a classroom housekeeping… Read More »
It’s a giant step and a lot of work to invite adults into your classroom as assistants. Your day is already filled with curriculum planning, school meetings, and evaluating student work. How can you possibly do any more? Find a way; it pays off quickly. 1. Look to small changes, jobs adult helpers can handle without extended… Read More »
Learning takes many forms. Each of us have favorite ways of taking in information. The following 3 are common for many students. To reach them, you will need to vary the way you present information so you incorporate more than one way to learn during each activity. Verbal-Linguistic Learners These learners take in information through language. They… Read More »
Finished! My Educating America Workbook (for teachers wanting to consider inviting adult assistants into their classrooms) is now ready. Next up: determining how to share the workbook ideas in a meaningful way. The workbook contents include: Things to consider before you invite adult into your classrooms Tasks to turn over to assistants Organizational meetings Planning and evaluation… Read More »