The Monthly Newsletter
Issue 104 | June 2014 | www.ei-india.com
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Cover Story: Back to School
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Educators’ Zone
3 Mindspark World
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Focus on Quality and Innovation
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Focus on Quality and Innovation
Teacher Zone
7
Misconception Series
8 ASSET Poster
COVER Story Back to School Children by their very nature are amazingly adaptable and resilient, but a new school year with new expectations, a new peer group and teachers remains a huge transition. As educators, ideally, we should devote unlimited time to each student to meet a variety of needs. Establishing a bond of trust with children lays the groundwork for both receptive and expressive learning. Genuine interest in the child, not only boosts selfesteem, but conveys a vital message that we earnestly care about each student. Suggested below, are activities to help students with the emotional transition of a new school year.
For the first weeks of school, have a “question of the day”- a daily question for students to answer about themselves. This could be an ongoing project such as an “About Me” book or journal which they can share with the rest of the class. For young children, use responses to write a class experiential story, or display them on the bulletin board as part of a class “Bio Board”, or an “Introducing Us”.
Speak a few sentences to each student, every day, focusing on his/her interests with the following guidelines:
Cooperative activities like dividing the class into small groups or teams will be very useful. Students will get to know their new peer group, learn to work cooperatively with others and feel like a valued member of the class. Encourage students to set both short term and long term goals for themselves and their group and thus develop leadership attributes.
Use "door openers" - phrases that invite children to say more: "Tell me more about that," "That really sounds interesting," and "Say that again."
Incorporate lessons on feelings. Through self-expression outlets like art, music, creative dramatics, role play, discuss feelings, expectations and concerns.
Give the child undivided attention, by not talking to a student while doing something else.
Use role play activities as an ice breaker and to teach classroom procedures, rules and limits to help solidify expectations, rather than the student passively listening to information.
TALK with your students!
Look the child in the eye, ask questions, and affirm responses. Comment on something specific.
Know your students! Glean as much
information about students’ backgrounds, by talking to parents and previous teachers and researching student records. Be aware and attentive to children who show signs of anxiety and/or difficulties adjusting after the first few weeks of school, like: withdrawal, not making friends, depressed looks, non-compliance, etc. in younger children, etc.. Keep communicating with parents. Providing a student with a secure and trusting environment will enable him/her to open up and express feelings, and empower teachers to offer solutions. Use the right words and provide a caring, secure and motivating environment. Achieving a balance of physical, mental and emotional preparation for students will clear a path for stability and success.