Domain 7 Communication
Domain 1 Content/Subject Matter
To start off...I had some great things happen today!
I tried sending home a letter to parents following up with a read-a-loud series I'm doing. I ask my teacher if she minded if I tried realizing that the feedback probably wouldn't be much but hoping for the best...and guess what? The two that were they today returned it! The one that we thought probably would not, out of the three, DID!!! Oh my goodness! I was so excited! I'll have to do it again for our next book!
Also, I taught motion and force today for science, and my my students, especially one, really seemed to understand it!! He even enjoyed learning about it and was doing things on his own as examples because he seemed to really "catch on"! The words (terms/definitions) might not have sunk in totally, BUT the concept was definitely being learned!! I was so excited for him!
There were a couple instances with the aide today that makes me wonder the following: How do you, professionally and respectfully, lay out your expectations for the aide right off the bat without offending or making it sound like you are the "know it all"? How do you instill worth and value but set standards and "rules" so-to-speak? She "fixed" one of my student's pieces again today. It was so frustrating. Why do we have them work if they can't even show their work themselves? It would have been more appreciated if she would have pointed the "imperfection" out to him and had him fix it, but she was doing it herself. It's just sad, but I know, again, that she doesn't know the science behind it all. But this made me observe some other things during the day and that's what made me want to ask the above because I just want to know what your approach was during your experiences.
Thanks so much!
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Olivia,
ReplyDeleteI'd love to tell you I have the magic answer but I don't! Some instructional assistants are better than others...I've had some who were phenomenal and would do whatever I asked and were perceptive to know what to do even when I didn't ask and then I had ones who ignored students (reading the newspaper as they ask for assistance!) or did the work for the students creating learned helplessness.
This is something you can't "fix" in the short time you remain however, if you have a classroom with an aide some day I would take time to "train" them in how your classroom works. Make sure to provide time to plan, discuss (hear their ideas, too), and give feedback on how they are doing. If you have open communication you will most likely be able to eliminate situations such as what you are dealing with right now.
Sorry I don't have the answer...but at least some ideas of how to proceed:).
Any thoughts for your next observation??
Prof. Forshey