Provide a new way to ‘help’ your students that allows everyone to feel comfortable.

 Scenario:

Students are not completing their work and won’t ask for help.

Students are requiring immediate assistance.

Students need feedback during the lesson.

Students have questions before beginning a task.

What can you do to cater for all these needs?

 Try This:

• Write a sign that says, ‘Tips and Feedback’.

• Place the sign on a table or desk.

• Inform the class that you will be sitting at the table and will be available during the session.

• You are there to provide Tips and Feedback.

Tips means you will clarify, give clues, target teach if required.

Use the Questions for Questions strategy to lead students to answers.

 Note:

Do not say you are there to help. Often students don’t like to be seen asking for help. Using the word ‘tips’ sends a different message.

Feedback means students can see you for verbal feedback, correction (a tick), a written comment.

Feedback is available at any time

Tell the students it can be after doing one small part of the task – they can seek clarification they are on the ‘right track’.

– After completing several parts of the task

– At the end of the task.

Ideas:

When the students arrive for feedback, ask them what sort of feedback they would like.

– Verbal feedback

– Correction via a ‘tick’

– Written feedback on their work.

– Written feedback via a small note.

Students may come and see you anytime you are seated at the Tips and Feedback area.

You decide how long you will be seated at the Tips and Feedback spot.

If students are making use of the opportunity, stay there.

If there is a break lay the sign down and do a walk around the room praising students efforts then return. Great opportunity to use the Grandma Technique.

Outcomes:

• Students are happy and relaxed to come and ask for a tip, there is no pressure.
• Students who ask for feedback often come seeking clarification they are on the right track.
• There is no stigma attached to requesting a tip or feedback.
• You can teach at the ‘point of need’ there and then!
• The atmosphere in the classroom is relaxed but purposeful.
• You can sit and observe what is happening around the room. If there is no one requiring attention call out to a few students

Eg Great organisation over there (add students name)

You are using great persistence skills today and getting on with the task, well done.

I can see you are being adaptable and using the resources available. 

That’s a really worthwhile decision you have made to sit in you Optimal Work Environment.

 Idea:

Tips and Feedback time is the ideal opportunity to teach, teach, teach! While the student is there with you make the most of the opportunity to work one on one with them. Just a few minutes of your time can make a huge difference.

Endeavour not to let a long queue of students stand waiting. If four or more students are waiting to see you ask them to pair up to assist one another with a tip or feedback. This is a great opportunity for students to be adaptable and share their knowledge and feedback with each other. 

Often a few moments will be all that is required to give the tip or feedback.

Use questions to lead the students to the answer they require.