Note: This year I am blogging weekly reflections at my school site (weskids.com) in order to provide more transparency in my teaching for parents, students, and the community (local and global). I will be cross-posting most of the entries here at Bit By Bit as well. You can see the original posts at the “Reflections by Mr. S” blog.

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Another great week in the Computer Lab! It was great seeing all of you at the Open House last night!

In this week’s post, I thought I would explain the “Teacher’s Assistant (“TA”)” role.

For years I’ve had this “job” in my classroom. Each student usually gets at least two opportunities to be the TA each year (chosen and kept track of alphabetically). Students really enjoy and look forward to this experience, and it helps me to get to know each student better.

TAs sit in a chair next to me when lessons are started. They help the other students get ready to listen on the rug and let me know when I can start introducing the lesson. They call on students to answer questions and usually run the computer, or show how to complete a game or skill that is in the lesson (at this point, they take over the computer and I’m free to stand elsewhere in the room).

In many ways, TAs are the “special guests” of the lesson. I get to ask them questions about themselves and they get to show-off their skills and knowledge to the rest of the class. Each student approaches the role at their own “comfort level;” some students are more outgoing while others may need me to do more of the management. Some students may be content to just sit in the “special chair,” and I’ve even had students who decline the opportunity all together. I never ask a student to take on a role that she/he does not want to.

At the end of the class period —when students line up at the door for their teacher— the TA helps in going over the Classroom Expectations (see last weeks’ post) and assessing how the class did in meeting those expectations. Students are incredibly honest in this assessment and can usually independently define areas where the class can improve. Again, this role helps students take control of their own learning and builds skills in self-assessment.

Things You and Your Student Can Do at Home:

• Ask your student what they think about the “Teacher’s Assistant” role. If they’ve had the opportunity in years past, what did they like about the job? Why do they think we have the job in the classroom?

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One of the highlights of the week was on Day 6, when students had an opportunity to add to the POETRY WALL. Check out their amazing poetry by clicking HERE!