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Teachers! A question please!

4 replies

LackingInspiration · 05/09/2010 11:07

I'm trained and experienced in planning and facilitating adult education sessions. The way I was taught to do this involved a lot of interaction, disussion etc.

I am a home educator and I've just set up a home ed group for a group of 12-14 children aged between 6 and 12.

I'm trying to plan the first session, which will include a lot of 'getting to know you' games; and some brainstorming bits for various things - names for the group; topics they'd like to cover. There'll be lots of adults there who I'll include for parts and not include for others (unless the children are nervous and want them to do it with/for them).

What I want to know is, I know how long I can give adults do so something without being too much/letting them get bored; but I'm not sure what the best amount of time to give children to do activities.

So if I send them off to do small group brainstorming with an adult or two, in order to bring ideas back to the group to share - how long would you give them?

Can I expect that 5min per activity will be just right? Too long? Too short?

Any advice very gratefully received!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
LackingInspiration · 05/09/2010 11:30

Bump, hoping there's a teacher or two around at this time on a Sunday morning! Smile

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happywheezer · 05/09/2010 11:32

I was told attention span is children age plus two minutes.

amateurmum · 05/09/2010 11:37

Five minutes is about right if they have an adult with them. Shorter for brainstorming on their own.

If I were doing this with my class I would have quite a bit of discussion before each brainstorm so that children who struggle with finding ideas can use one from the whole class discussion. This also helps them to formulate ideas of their own. In my experience, children find it difficult to come up with ideas from a 'blank sheet'.

Perhaps also demonstrate how to record ideas in a mind map, with post its etc.

I wouldn't do too many brainstorms in a row - alternate with other activities.

LackingInspiration · 05/09/2010 12:07

Thank you :-) Going to do lots of games inbetween - moving around ones! I know the need for energisers for adults, and am kind of quadrupling that for the children! :-D

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