Avoiding the Pitfalls

Pitfalls

Food : unless you want to buy the food all the time, if you intend to have food for some advisories, make a calendar, or set out ahead of time by saying “so who’s bringing in the food for Thursday?”. I usually buy cheap cups, paper plates and napkins at the beginning of the year so I don’t have to worry about it at all. Food can be a great ice breaker, but it can also break the bank.

Opting out : This is a tough one. I have always insisted that people were present for the discussions or activities (unless previously arranged) but participation was optional (except for community service activities). As with any discussion, trying to rein in the over-sharers, and rope-in the under-sharers is always a challenge.

All we do is play 4-square. OK, many of your advisees have played a lot of 4-square in advisory in middle school. Sure, physical games and initiatives have their place in advisory (a new game or a beautiful walk and talk fall day), but there needs to be balance with all your activities. If you think you’re in a rut, enlist the kids to come up with other activities, or ask me.

Can we use our devices ? This can be a tough one. There will be instances when devices are absolutely part of the advisory period when students are working on their personalized learning plans or you're working with them on their goals. But most days students should be engaged in interactive conversation with their co-advisees. Allowing advisory to become study hall sets the stage for a highly ineffective advisory program. Some schools, such as the Crew program at Casco Bay High School in Portland, have a specific weekly schedule for the multiple purposes of advisory.

There are some real personality conflicts in my advisory. This can be a real gut-buster, but it kind of gets at the heart of one of our goals for advisory. Unless fights are breaking out every advisory, this is a good opportunity for them to get to know one another in a structured setting. Your arbitration skills can really be put to the test. Certainly you must face similar issues in your classes, so you are prepared to deal. If it truly isn’t working, let the guidance counselor or me know. It is our goal to not switch kids around in advisories, but if it’s absolutely necessary, you should see one of us. You may NOT switch an advisee without approval. Remember the Floodgates!!

It seems I always lead the discussions... Part of advisory is that students need to take responsibility for the discussions whether it’s politics or music...it’s their discussion. This is not content time, this is relationship time. Make sure :

.......they all get a turn

.......everyone listens, you may pass, but you must listen

.......there are no interruptions

.......there is equal time for everyone

.......there are no put downs

.......everyone is physically present

.......insist on confidentiality, and avoid using student and faculty names in discussions