November 2024 Alpha Delta Kappa Collegiate Clubs Network
Alpha Delta Kappa Collegiate Clubs & Alumni Welcome to our monthly newsletter! We are here to provide you with some helpful tips, connections, and networking opportunities.
l u f s es c c u S s g n i n n i g Be
Mary Ann Englehart Regional Clinical Practice Coordinator Liaison to the Fresno Unified Residency Teacher Program CalTPA Specialist University Support Provider
Ask any teacher and they will tell you that the first weeks of school are critically important in setting the stage for everything to come. Most teachers will also tell you to establish class rules and set behavior standards right away. That’s true, but I’m here to tell you that I think it’s more important to get to know your students. What are their strengths? What are their challenges? What do they bring to the classroom that you can use to make your lessons relevant and engaging? When you know your students you can effectively differentiate instruction to meet your students at their ability levels as well as their learning modalities. Get your students talking about themselves. One way to do that is to ask students to bring a ‘cultural basket’ to class. This basket could not only have important elements of their cultural and linguistic backgrounds but also their interests, hobbies, and all the things that are important to them. Getting to know your students is also the best way to build a classroom community. Do a Me/We activity where students first write words or short phrases describing themselves and then share with a partner or a small group the things they have in common. And, remember that Google is your best friend! Does coming up with an activity or project have you stumped? Google it! Or, even better, reach out to your A∆K sisters and ask us! We love to help!