The first step to working well together is to have an extended conversation about everything that goes on in the classroom. I've put together two lists below: questions for TAs to ask teachers, and questions for teachers to ask TAs. In order to create a list that could apply to both elementary and secondary, there will be some questions that might not apply to your specific situation.
Questions for Teachers to ask TAs:
Logistics:
- What class do you work in before this hour?
- Can you reasonably get to this class before students arrive?
- When will you typically be in the classroom?
- When will you need to leave the classroom to get to your next class?
- How will I know if you are sick, absent, or not able to come to class on a given day?
- What daily routines would you be willing to help with?
- What type of technology are you able to operate in the classroom (iPad, Apple TV, etc.)?
- What are some of your “pet peeves” in the classroom?
- How will we build trust and maintain confidentiality in the classroom?
- What will we do when conflicts, mis-understandings, or opportunities for clarification come up?
Management:
- What classroom management experience do you have?
- What type of management activities are you comfortable with? Which are you uncomfortable with?
- Circulating throughout the room?
- Nonverbal cues to students?
- Verbally redirecting students?
- Temporarily removing students from the classroom?
- One-on-one conversations with students?
- Giving detentions?
- Calling parents?
- Taking students to the office?
- Other (specify)?
Content & Instruction:
- What subject areas and concepts do you feel most comfortable assisting students with?
- Area there subject areas or concepts that you do not feel comfortable assisting students with?
- What intervention programs, software, technology, etc. are you comfortable using?
- What training or expertise would you like to gain?
- What experience do you have providing accommodations (like read-alouds) to students?
- What content/instructional activities are you comfortable doing...
- Helping small groups?
- Grading tests/quizzes?
- Binder checks with students?
- Helping students one-on-one?
- Other (specify)?
Data:
- What students will you be collecting data on this year?
- How will you organize that data?
- How can I help you gather or keep data on those students?
Questions for TAs to ask Teachers:
Logistics:
- How will I know if you are sick, absent, or not able to come to class on a given day?
- What is my role in the classroom in your absence?
- Where can I find seating charts, sub plans (if needed), etc?
- What are your daily routines for...
- Starting class?
- Bell work?
- Checking homework?
- Sharpening pencils?
- Students coming to class without materials or homework?
- Recess?
- Lunch?
- Dismissing for restroom, office, or guidance counselor?
- Turning in work (on-time and late work)?
- Students requesting help?
- Ending class?
- Other procedures?
- Will I help with any of the daily routines? If so, how?
- Can you provide me with a copy of your disclosure statement?
- What are some of your “pet peeves” in the classroom?
- How will we build trust and maintain confidentiality in the classroom?
- What will we do when conflicts, mis-understandings, or opportunities for clarification come up?
Management:
- Describe your discipline style.
- What are some reinforcements/consequences you offer in your classroom?
- What is the acceptable level of noise in your classroom?
- What are your policies of student movement in your class?
- Where there is a behavior issue, at what point should I assist you during…
- Lecture?
- Partner work?
- Small group work?
- Other?
- During the situations above, what type of actions do you want me to take to intervene in behavior issues?
- What activities would you like me to do daily in order to actively manage the class?
Content & Instruction:
- What assistance do you allow students to receive during different types of work (group work, partner work, independent work, assessments)?
- What are your expectations for me when providing accommodations, like read-alouds?
- Explain your homework/late-work policy.
- What instructional styles will I see in the classroom (lecture, group work, etc.)?
- What type of assessments do you use?
- How do you group students for group work in your class?
- How do you provide for varied student needs during a lesson?
Data:
- How do you grade...
- Homework?
- Assessments?
- Projects?
- Participation?
- Other: specify?
- How do you maintain records of grades and progress...
- Grade book procedures?
- Computer grade book?
- Written feedback to students?
- Other: specify?
- What type of student data can I have access to (journals, gradebook, writing samples, test scores)?
- What is the best time and method for me to get that data?
Some of the questions above were adapted from the following sources:
- http://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching/career_resources/stepping_stones2.pdf
- Walther-Thomas, Bryant, & Land, 1996
Even if you have already worked with your TA in previous years, I encourage you to find some time to have this conversation. In the next installment, I'll give specific ideas for using your TA in a 5th-9th grade classroom.
Can you think of any other topics that TAs and teachers should discuss? Feel free to leave ideas in the comments below.
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