Background
![]() | A core component of our work involves tracking and responding to the specific goals and challenges being tackled by the tutors, mentors, coaches and new teachers we serve. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll find below:
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Challenge #1: How can I get my students to not only set goals at the beginning of the school year, but to hold themselves accountable for accomplishing them?
Quilt of Goals
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Challenge #2 (Part 1 of 2): Help! My students won’t focus during our sessions :-(.
It Feels Good to Write! |
Created by: | Taneisha Carter – AmeriCorps member, America Reads - Mississippi (America Learns Network member since Summer 2004) |
Topics: | Behavior Engagement & Motivation |
Grade Levels: | Third - Sixth |
Arrangements: | Any |
Materials: | - Construction paper and typing or printer paper - Crayons or markers - Pencils |
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Situation: | When I first started tutoring my students (most of whom have failed classes at least once), the students couldn't concentrate on the readings and lessons being taught because they were angry with someone or had a lot on their minds. I decided to create a daily practice for them in which they write out whatever is on their minds in the form of a short story before we begin our tutoring sessions. |
Step 1: | First, the student chose two sheets of colored construction paper, tucked some typing paper in the middle, and stapled it to make a scrap book. |
Step 2: | I let the students design the covers of their books to get their creative thought processes rolling. |
Step 3: | After the students designed their covers, they wrote their first short story about what was going on in their lives at the time. The short story helps them express feelings and clear their minds of issues that may be bothering them. If students prefer to draw how they're feeling on some days, I give them the opportunity to do so. Let your students know that while you will be reading the stories to get a better understanding of how they're feeling and what's going on in their lives, you won't be grading or correcting their work. This is space for them to be creative and to turn what's going on in their own lives into stories. It's important that you read the stories in case something is going on in a student's life that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. |
Step 4: | Everyday, the students come in the room, draw their feelings, and write a short story about what they are feeling. We have such an easier time focusing during our tutoring time now! If this strategy works for you, and if you’re an America Learns Network member, also check out The "Thought Lot" (Helping Students Deal with Daydreaming and Wandering Minds). |
Challenge #2 (Part 2 of 2): Help! My students won’t focus during our sessions :-(.
Two Simple Strategies For Helping Students Stay Focused
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Challenge #3: When I’m working with a group of students, what’s something I can try to make sure everybody participates during discussions?
Taking Steps to Make Sure Everybody |
Created by: | Jessica Christensen – AmeriCorps member, ShoreCorps/PALS (America Learns Network member since 2007) |
Topics: | Group Participation |
Grade Levels: | Preschool - Adult |
Arrangements: | Two or more students |
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Situation: | I found that if I asked a group of students a question without letting them know how I wanted them to respond, it created a problem. Some students would just shout out their answers while others would raise their hands to be called on to answer. This type of situation created poor group participation, lots of distractions and caused many students to be overlooked. Asking the group a question in this manner also made it hard to regain the group's attention and continue on with the discussion. |
What to do: | If you ask a question when talking to group, first tell your students how you would like them to respond. Example 1: Example 2: |
Where these Strategies Come From
All of the strategies we celebrate here have been contributed by tutors, mentors, coaches or new teachers who are using the America Learns Performance Measurement & Learning Network. The educators and mentors we serve use the Network to to report their progress, reflect on their recent sessions, plan for their upcoming sessions, participate in an incredible learning community of individuals within their organizations and around the world, and receive weekly, personalized coaching and support to ensure that they are accomplishing their goals and the goals of the students or mentees they’re serving. | ![]() |
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