In the face of national concern over school effectiveness and the emphasis on raising aggregate test scores, many districts are participating in mentorship programs or enlisting the aid of parents and community volunteers to assist with day-to-day classroom work. Parents, particularly those of young children, are often willing to come into your room to help you in whatever ways you may need. The prospect of willing adult hands sounds nice on the surface, but once teachers get down to the nitty-gritty, many find that having volunteers can seem like more bother than it is worth. Volunteers must be trained and planned for. They must be shown what to do and how to do it. Some are more capable than others, and it can be tough to find the time and energy needed to utilize them effectively.
Volunteers can be a huge asset to your classroom, so don’t turn down their help! Here are organizational and management hints to help you take advantage of volunteers’ services without creating an undue burden on your time. With just a small investment of energy and a bit of preparation, you can have supplemental activities, record-keeping information, and management tools all set up and ready to go. New volunteers will only need minimal training once you get your system set up, too.
Since most volunteers have a desire to work with children, you might want to start your organizational efforts with a Volunteer Box. You’ll need a large box, tub or tote that you can devote to this project. You’ll also need some basic supplies, like paper, markers, and tape, a duplicated class list, record sheets, and some games or activities that will benefit the students in your class. Make a sign for the box so it is easily identified even by new volunteers.
Choose individualized or small group activities that some of your students will benefit from using. You’ll get more mileage from activities that need a bit of adult supervision or assistance. Choose things that at least some students cannot quite use independently. Some ideas include board or card games, flashcard drills, or manipulative activities. Package each with a duplicated class list and highlight the students who will benefit from this kind of extra practice.
The last piece to the system is a set of clear, step-by-step directions to attach to each activity. Include guidance about the number of students to group together, or even specific individuals to work with at the same time. Make a list of any other supplies needed, such as paper, pencils or markers. You might also want to indicate a suggested time limit for each session, any special place for the activity (table, hallway, library, etc.) and any other information to help the volunteer know exactly what records to keep or what else to do. Affix the instructions to each activity, and put a selection of these prepared ideas into the Volunteer Box. Now you’ve got a ready-made set of instructions for your volunteer and have minimized the need for him or her to interrupt your teaching time with questions.