Trainee Teaching Asstant needing some help please

[dolly]

Heya got a couple of questions on my homework sheet this week and wondered if anybody wouldnt mind throwing me some ideas please.
How do pupils develop writing and listening skills???

[Boxcar]

I do a lot of this with the preschoolers. Here are some things to do:

Have them "sign in" each morning. They start out by making marks. Then, they can write some letters. Depending on the child, it can even turn into a recognisable name.

Make books of feelings, of experiences, of stories, ect. Have lots of oppertunities for inventinve spelling and pre-writing.

Give meaning to writing. If a student tells you a scribble is his shopping list, let it be his shopping list. Have many oppertunities to pretend about writing. An office theme, a shopping theme, a newpaper or news station theme can all support this.

Listening is something that falls under Sensory for preschoolers. Take listening walks. Make tapes of familiar sounds and play a game with the tape. Use a musical instrument to play Hot-and-Cold.

There are so many things. These are just a few to get you started thinking.

[dolly]

Thank you thats brilliant xxx

[DarrenB]

I teach middle school, and the very first lesson we cover is "How to Listen When Someone is Speaking." I joke around with my students and take on what I call my "kindergarten teacher" voice for this simple lesson.

Listening in my class follows three basic steps, which I constantly reinforce:

1. Stop what you are doing. I define this for my students down to exact detail including putting down any writing devices.

2. Look at the person speaking.

3. Be still and quiet while the person is speaking.

I remind my students that if they are following our class rules for "listening" they can't possibly be working. So, the more they have to listen the less work they have to do!

For the first week or so, I heavily remind them how to listen. Then I begin giving students marks when they forget to follow our class rules for listening. Too many marks and the students don't get to participate in our fun reward on Friday.

This one lesson, more than any other, has helped me be successful as a teacher.

And make sure you differentiate between "listening" and simply hearing. One is active, and one is passive. We want active learners.

Now I've gone and given away my best secret...;) Hope this helps!

Darren B.

[dolly]

Thank you very much and don't worry your secret is safe with me Darren :p

[jsfowler]

Practice, practice, practice! I teach middle school and we practice listening. I would usually say something like, "Eyes on me!" and they knew that meant...
1. Stop what you are doing
2. Turn and face me
3. Hands on table
4. Listen!!

Next year, I am going to do the Power Teaching method...I think it is going to work great.

Writing also takes practice. Students should be writing every day! Reading-Writing connections are also essential in my opinion. Next year, I will be doing the Reader's/Writer's Workshop and, again, I am very excited.

In conclusion, any skill that you want students to master, whether it be listening, lining up, reading, or wiritng, takes practice...and lot's of it!