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 »
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 »
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 »
Checkout these back-to-school materials to enhance your school year. SAVE 20% and receive FREE shipping and a thank you gift on each item you purchase between now and September 30th. *Free shipping and *Free 30-pack of note cards that say ‘A Note from the Teacher’ are limited to shipping to U.S. addresses. (Classroom assistants and parents… Read More »
The more meaningful the activity, the more engage the students. Connections to their lives and their background of information helps. Allow students to control as much of their learning as possible. That doesn’t mean to make it easy. It means to make it meaning-filled so they use skills they have developed or are in the… Read More »
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 »
Here’s one brief way a student can assess their personal organization and productivity for school or homework. Before I begin my work: What are my tasks for today? What questions do I still have about my task before I start? Where can I find answers? What help do I need from adults? (supplies? resources? thinking… Read More »
In an age of cell phones, social media, and texting we are losing active listening and direct conversations. One way to reestablish those connections in classrooms or in groups is to use an increased amount of cooperative learning. The process may be as simple as Think-Pair-Share or as complex as cooperative learning groups. Both share… Read More »
Ever feel like an ogre when you get kids up for school? Ever feel like time is slipping away and that you’re nagging them? Chances are that if you don’t start your morning routine the night before, you might be an unintentional ogre. Here are a few ideas to help you breeze through your mornings.… Read More »
Just a reminder: You can read or download my Educating America newsletters and the accompanying downloads for free from this very site. Look to the top of this blog. Scan across and click on: Return to Educating America. Whether you are an educator, a para educator, a parent, or a community volunteer, you will find… Read More »