Tuesday Tip: Getting the nonstarter...started
Debra Em
A friend having a tough time getting her office painted before her daughter comes home for winter break is the inspiration behind this week’s tip. Enjoy this three minute animated clip to learn how I gained a valuable tip I’m sharing with you today.
My daughter has a brain issue with initiation, so I’ve been living with a nonstarter for 23 years now. Once I get her started, she’s off and running (like you are all day long). I’d love for her to start more things independently. She does when she’s very motivated but if it’s not something she’s too keen on, well, I’m her starter buddy.
With this post, I’m assuming you’ve already prepped students for their assignments and done all the excellent differentiation required for success.
Some ideas for getting the starter buddy concept off the ground:
Create a class job of “starter buddy” for the week. Anyone having trouble getting started can request assistance. Ya, I know, managing how many requests and making sure the helper student gets his/her work done is a challenge, but I know you’ll figure out the details.
Assign one student their starter buddy for particular times when starting seems hardest. The starter buddy can sit by the student needing help, “Let’s get started. I’m doing problem number one. Let’s do it together.” If reading, “I’ll read the first sentence and you read the second sentence.”
The teacher could ask, “Does anyone need a starter buddy?” Then assign from the list of students available and willing to help.
Of course, I’m assuming before a new task, the student leaders have led the class in some kind of activity that helps with focus like the Minute Moves for Focus or the I Can Calm Myself routine (discussed in earlier blogs).
The ultimate goal is to not need the starter buddy but some students have initiation challenges that may require some form of starter help their entire lives.
Do you have a great idea to get the nonstarter…started? Please share below. Have a fantastic Tuesday!