Instructor tips

SPARK Expectations for Instructors

SPARK Instructor Minimum Exception Policy: Click Here

Arrival

For your first day of class, please arrive at the school at least 20- 30 minutes before the start of your class. This will give you time to find parking, get signed in, retrieve your materials, familiarize yourself with the layout of the school, and set up for class.
After your first class, we ask that you arrive at the school at least 15 - 20 minutes before the start of your class.
If you have any trouble, please contact your regional manager.

Tips for Arriving on Time

Please use the address that you received in your confirmation email to map out the time of arrival at least 24 hours before your assignment.
Set alarms/add the assignment and address to your calendar
Print any materials needed by the morning of your first class/put materials in your car or by the front door

Tardy

Our expectation at SPARK is for all instructors to be prompt to each of their assignments. Please schedule your departure accordingly to ensure that you arrive at your assignment in a timely manner. It is imperative that classes consistently start and end on time.

Absences

In an emergency, please email/call your regional manager directly
DO NOT contact the school directly (this is a violation of our expectations agreement)

Dress Code (School Year)

Business casual attire
no slides, shorts, jeans (dark jeans allowed)

COVID Protocol

Please wear a mask for the duration of each class, wash your hands, and social distance. If you believe your State is exempt from this mandate please contact your regional manager for further direction

Dismissal

Please have students tidy up the classroom during the last 5-10 minutes of class (a messy classroom is a violation of the expectations agreement)
Please follow school procedures regarding dismissal
If the class is messy when you arrive, please take a picture and send it to your regional manager. Please make sure to tidy up before leaving. The picture is for documentation purposes only.

Understanding Student Behavior

Include U Module for Understanding and

Redirecting Student Behavior

Module 1 - Understanding Unexpected Behavior

Behavior 101

Unexpected behaviors are anything that inhibits your participants from positively participating and or are not what you think would be a typical response to a situation. • To better support a participant that is displaying unexpected behaviors, look closer at the behavior and try to translate what that behavior is communicating. • Use S.E.A.T. to try and figure out what their behavior is communicating. S.E.A.T. stands for Sensory, Escape, Attention, and Tangible. It is my understanding that SEAT is a tool used to help understand your child's behavior by attempting to break down undesirable behaviors.

Behavior 102

Life that happens around and to us has an impact on us. • Your participants may show up displaying a variety of unexpected behaviors for a variety of reasons. • You, too, may have been impacted. It’s important for you to be able to recognize how that shows up for you and how to help yourself.

Behavior 103

Use the DPR building block model to create an inclusive program environment where everyone feels safe and able to participate. • Tier 1 supports are proactive strategies put in place to help participants meet your expectations. • Some participants will need additional help/attention in order to remember how to meet your expectations in different situations or to learn the skills needed in order to positively participate.

Classroom Management Tips/Tools

Attention Grabbers

Need a way to get your students' attention? Here are some great attention grabbers that you can practice and establish at the beginning of your class. (Pick one, two, or maybe a few - do whatever works best for you! Remember class should be FUN!)

You can also try using the "count backward" activity. Count backward 5, 4, 3,2, 1, and students should be silent by 0

Proximity Control

Stand near students who may be exhibiting undesirable behaviors. This strategy can be used to prevent or redirect undesirable behaviors.

Click here for more information.

redirecting

If a student is not on task or following directions try the following methods to redirect them.

Walk over to the student and have a conversation with them privately
Slip student a positive note outlining expectations
Ask the student to be your teacher's assistant to help get them on task

Teacher Modeling

Before asking students to complete a task, show them what your expectations are. Model the behavior, voice level, and how to complete the assignment so students have a clear direction. Students can be creative and add their own spin, but they often need a starting point.

Positive reinforcement

Anytime you see a student following directions or exhibiting positive behavior, be sure to verbally praise them. Instead of calling out students that are off track, highlight students that are on track. Reinforcing positive behavior will remind students of the expectation. Encourage students to praise each other as well to create a supportive work environment.

Teacher Involvement

Move around the classroom and engage with students. Ask them what they are learning and look for student engagement. Get feedback from students throughout the class and adapt your methods of instruction to make the class fun and exciting. Aim to check in with each student throughout the class to make sure they are learning and enjoying the program.

Classroom Engagement Tips

Turn & Talk

Think Pair Share

Agree-Disagree

In & Out Circle

Four Corners

Gallery Walk

Jigsaw

World Cafe

Classroom Engagement Tools

Silent Minute

Before starting class, allow students to have a silent minute. You would be surprised how many students could benefit from some quiet time. This is great for instructors as well (not punishment, this is time for students to clear their minds).

Hey boss

Public Speaking exercise: Hey Boss!

Approximately 10-15min. long activity
Objective: To encourage students to become more comfortable speaking in front of a larger group and build confidence.
During this activity, it is important for the instructor to get into "coach mode" and encourage each student to get up there and try their best. Students must give each other a round of applause after each person has gone.

Steps

Students are either called on or volunteer to come up to the front of the class and speak on a topic that interests them for one minute.
Before the student speaks, they must introduce themselves as a "boss" by saying, "hi! My name is ____ and I'm a boss."
The class will respond, "hey boss!".
After the class responds, the instructor will start the timer for one minute. The instructor will pause the timer whenever the student pauses

Go Noodle

(Grades: K-3) Use this site to get students up and moving. After being in the classroom all day, students can be exhausted.

Go Noodle Videos: Click Here

Kidz bop

(Grades: K-3) Students can work towards earning a dance at the end of class. It can be helpful to allow the students to get up and move after sitting for an extended period of time (extrinsic reward).

Kids can also play musical chairs using Kidz Bop.

Kidz Bop Videos: Click Here

LOFI Beats

Feel free to play this while students are working on an activity. This keeps them relaxed and prevents the class from being dry.

No Nonsense Nurturer 2 Pager.pdf

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