Welcome to the study unit on instructional skills. This unit contains both suggestions for setting up and delivering a tutoring session and examples of tutoring plans and evaluation forms. The evaluation forms are geared to assist the paraeducator in self evaluating and improving their tutoring skills.

Objectives

1. Explain the importance of individual and small group instruction and describe the role of the paraeducator in tutoring.
2. Describe the purpose and components of an instructional lesson plan.
3. Identify methods for building rapport with students.
4. Prepare effectively for a tutoring session.
5. Present directions and information effectively during instruction.
6. Describe methods for managing individual and small group instruction.
7. Identify methods for reinforcing students during tutoring activities.
8. Evaluate the effectiveness of a tutoring session.
9. Describe techniques for reporting the results of the instructional activity to the teacher.
10. Discuss criteria for changing a lesson, terminating a lesson and handling emergency situations during a tutoring session.

Contents

Pretest

Pretest

Lessons

Lesson 1: Rationale for Tutoring & Tutor Training

Lesson 2: Tutoring Responsibilities

• Teacher responsibilities
• Paraeducator responsibilities

Lesson 3: Preparing for Tutoring

• Tutoring tasks
• Arrange the environment
• Preparation
• Supervision

Lesson 4: Reading and Using the Lesson Plan

• Importance of objectives and goals
• Following the lesson plan
• Teacher supervision

Lesson 5: Knowing the Student

• Communicate respect and caring
• Know the student's interests
• Know the student's skills

Lesson 6: Establishing and Maintaining Rapport

• Communicate the lesson plan
• Encouraging the student
• Conducting the lesson

Lesson 7: Establishing and Maintaining Attention

• Excite students about learning
• Eliminate competing stimuli
• Use signals

Lesson 8: Presenting Information

• Giving directions
• Modeling
• Providing Feedback
• Questioning procedures
• Requests for help

Lesson 9: Reinforcing Students

• Verbal reinforcement
• Nonverbal reinforcement
• Reasons for utilizing reinforcement

Lesson 10: Terminating a Lesson

• Importance of closure

Lesson 11: Deviating from the Lesson Plan

• When to deviate
• Alternative plans
• Report problems to the teacher

Lesson 12: Observing and Recording Student Progress

• Record keeping
• Observing learner progress
• Recording progress

Lesson 13: Evaluating the Tutoring Session

• Assessing tutoring skills using self-evaluation instruments

Summary

Sample Documents

Instructional Planning Form

Sample Tutoring Plan

Self Evaluation of a Tutoring Session

Checklist for Tutors

Evaluating the Tutoring Session

Tutoring Observation Checklist

Learning Activities

Activity 1: Practice Maintaining Attention

Activity 2: Practice Terminating a Lesson

Activity 3: Reinforcing Students

Unit 4 Post Test

Review Questions

Post Test

Additional Information & Activities

Additional Discussion Questions

Additional Learning Activities

Suggestions for Further Reading

Related Practicum Activities

Practicum Activites

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