What should I ask a Partner as we plan an activity?

Posted November 19, 2019

Glad you asked! Here are some suggested questions to start your conversation. Remember, you are co-planning this interaction together. You can – and should – voice your own ideas and expectations to make sure that the volunteer understands how to make your visit most worthwhile. A community partner probably won’t know education acronyms and may not have been in a school since they attended one. Anything you can do to help your partner know what to expect in your classroom will help.

Experience

How have you interacted with children or youth in the past? What ages were they?
Do you have any questions or concerns about working with the students in my class?

Goals

What are your goals? Why are you interested in this activity? My goals for our experience working together are….
What do you want my students to learn and experience?

Activity

Do you have some initial ideas about how you might share your expertise or experiences?
How can you help the students interact with your topic? Were you thinking of a talk, interactive exercise, field trip, small group work, etc.?

Student Preparation

What preparation would you like me to have the students do before your visit? I can encourage them to read something, watch a YouTube video, prepare questions for you, etc.

Scheduling

When would be the best time to schedule a visit to your class? Offering your typical schedule can be helpful, such as “This class meets every day during third period, which is from 10:30-11:25 a.m. I have allotted three weeks in October for this subject.”

Collaboration

How best can I support your experience in my classroom?
What do you need in terms of classroom set-up and support?
Do you need internet access?
Do you need any specific equipment (e.g. projector, whiteboard, speakers etc…)?
Will you have handouts that need to be printed?
Other needs?

Logistics

My school’s policies regarding visitors are….
You can park at….and check-in and get a badge at….
You will be able to get to my class by……
Would you like a picture of my classroom to help you visualize the setup?
Do you need desks or chairs in any certain configuration?
Would you like the students to wear name tags?
What other information or preparation will help you feel ready for a visit?

Teacher Role

What support will you offer during the visit? “I will introduce you and be engaged throughout, will actively support you and guide the conversation as needed.”
How will you assist with disciplinary action that is needed? “I will keep my students on task as best as I can and address any disciplinary issues.”
What happens if you have to cancel? “I will reschedule our visit if I have a substitute teacher that day or, if you agree and feel comfortable after your first visit, we can move forward as planned with the substitute supporting you.”
What can I do to help you feel confident about your visit?

TIPS FOR PREPARING FOR A ‘SHARE’:

Experience
Many visitors may be nervous and may have never spoken to a group of students, so be sure to welcome them and make them feel comfortable when they arrive.

Prepare Students

Give students enough background information about the topic so they can actively engage with the visitor.
Consider having students prepare questions beforehand.
Students could potentially research the visitor online if the visitor is a public figure.

Gather Resources
Double check to make sure whatever technology or other needs requested by the visitor are available and working.