Back-to-School Tips for GrapeSEED Students and Teachers
Whether you are just starting GrapeSEED with students this school year or you are a seasoned GrapeSEED teacher working with students who are already familiar with the program, we thought you might be able to use some tips to make it easier on you and your young learners to transition back into school mode and GrapeSEED after the summer break.
- Build and explain new GrapeSEED routines with your students. A routine is important to help relax you and your students. Knowing what to expect when it’s time for the daily GrapeSEED lesson can reduce confusion and ease the transition, which can save precious minutes in your lesson-packed day. Take some time to build a routine that works for all of you.
- Talk with your students about WHY they will be doing GrapeSEED every day. We are all more willing to do something if we understand why we have to do it and how it benefits us. Students who are new to GrapeSEED will want to know what it is and what it’s for, and asking experienced GrapeSEED students if they remember why they are using the program can be a nice review and an engaging way to start off the first lesson of the new school year.
- Discuss with your students WHERE they are expected to sit during GrapeSEED activities. Give your students a room tour to show them where they should sit for stories and other shared reading activities. Then show them where Action Activities will take place. This should help make transitions between activities smooth and orderly.
- Explain HOW students will interact with the GrapeSEED materials.Show students the different GrapeSEED materials and demonstrate the appropriate movements and behaviors to use for each of them. For example, show students the correct way to air-write when you are using Phonogram Cards or present Vocabulary Picture Cards following the teacher/student/teacher/student (T/S/T/S) pattern.
