Teaching
One Characteristic that is required to be a great assistant?
Positive
Energetic
Enthusiastic
Encouraging
Welcoming
Helpful
Are you allowed to be texting during your time in the class?
No, it sends the wrong message to kids if you are on your phone instead of working with them.
They will notice and think that they aren't as important to you.
A student approaches you and asks to go to the washroom. The child is 6 years old and going into grade 2. Do you have to go with them? why or why not?
No. The only time you have to go to the bathroom with someone is if they are going into kindergarten and/or too short to reach the tap.
If you are scheduled to be an assistant at 10am, what time should you try to arrive?
9:45 am, it is important to come this early for multiple reasons:
There is set up that needs to be done
There may be children that really like you and feel more comfortable with you there.
Are you allowed to explain and play a game with the children?
True, you are encouraged to do so!
True or false?
Having a routine in the classroom is important and works well for most students?
True.
Although all children are different for the most part they all thrive on being on a routine.
Are you allowed to play a game or go over a dance with the students while a teacher is dealing with a disruptive student?
yes. This is something that is encouraged! It can be very hard for a teacher to deal with a disruptive child while the rest of the class watches.
Distractions like this are good.
Lauren is teaching a dance, little Patriche is acting out, what is one thing you could do to make the situation better for Lauren without disrupting the whole class?
Answers may vary:
Encourage them to follow the rules.
Approach them to ask them individually to stop
If you are unable to make a class, is it your responsibility to let the teacher know?
Yes. We need to know, because the amount of teachers we have is the right amount per kids that are in the class.
If the group that you are working with is a loud group, what type of game should you play with them to get their energy out?
Multiple answers:
Captain on deck
Freeze Dance
Why are you on my lawn
Commercial
True or False:
You are allowed to encourage students to follow the rules of the classroom such as; respect the space, hands off, etc.
True.
Especially if a teacher isn't looking or doesn't see it, it is very important that you communicate the rules to those students who aren't following them.
Is giving a child a hug an appropriate or inappropriate form of affection?
It is an inappropriate form of affection, especially if the child is upset or hurt, giving them a little bit of love can go a very long way!
You could tell her that it's okay to get out because it just means that she was trying her best.
You could also tell her that we will be playing so many games during the term.
Lauren is in the middle of teaching and forgets a move that she forgot last week, but you remember it. Are you allowed to step in and help even though you aren't the teacher?
Yes you are, as long as you do so in a nice and kind manner. It is important to remember all of the steps to all of the dances so that the kids can follow you.
Name five games that we learned this week.
Museum
Captain On Deck
Freeze Dance
Why Are You On My Lawn
Wink Murderer
Commercial
Machines
True or false:
You are allowed to call out a child individually in front of the class for incorrectly doing a dance move
False.
Some children will take that the wrong way and not respond in the way that you want them to. It is important to help children somewhat discretely.
If there is ever a first aid issue, are you allowed to step in and help if asked by the teacher?
TRICK QUESTION.
Because you do not have first aid training, you are not allowed to physically touch the students in any first aid situation.
The only thing that a teacher may ask you to do is call 911 or retrieve the first aid kit.
Gregor is in the middle of teaching a musical theatre piece. His back is to the kids, and you witness Abby and Aynsley hit one another. What is the first thing that you do? the second thing?
You must separate them to ensure that it doesn't happen again and then tell Gregor after he is done explaining the next move.
Are you expected to know a little bit about each student or is that the teachers job?
It is your job as well. The kids will likely like you more than their own teachers, getting to know them is very important!! They see you as teachers too.
You could ask them to participate with you, if that doesn't work let them sit out, but keep an eye on them and sit with them so that they aren't lonely.
As an assistant what is the most important thing that you can do to ensure that children in the class get the most of our their KidSing experience?
(remember PEEEWHR)
Be:
Positive
Encouraging
Enthusiastic
Energetic
Welcoming
Helpful
Role Model
If the teacher leaves the room at any point and leaves you alone with the kids, you are then in charge? true or false?
TRICK QUESTION.
You are never allowed to be alone in the room with the children.
Tammy (Alexis's mom), approaches you after class to ask you a question about class and details about the december christmas show. You don't know the answer to this question. What is something that you could say to Tammy to make her feel better?
If ever there is a question that a parent asks you about, especially with a question that you don't know the answer to, you must tell the parent that you will get the teacher to answer their question.
Little Mya is all alone during a game, as assistant what could you do to make her feel more comfortable?
answers may vary.
Introduce her to someone around her who might be a bit more confident and makes friends easily.
Sit with her so that she doesn't feel so alone.
Ensure her that everything is okay and let the teacher know if something happens to be wrong.
How would you explain to the kids how to play machines?
Always explain the outcome of the game first. Followed by the instructions.