Implications for Planning & Top Teaching Tips

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1	Teaching Tips for Different Ages
2	We have used resources from Girls Rock! DC, Willie Mae Rock Camp, and Rock 'N' Roll Camp for Girls, and we sincerely thank them for sharing this information with Girls Rock! Chicago! Being a part of the GRCA community is essential; without this resource, our camps would not be possible!
3	Aspect	8 - 10 year olds	11 - 13 year olds	14 - 16 year olds
4	Grade Levels	Elementary School, Grades 3-5	Middle School, Grades 6 - 8	High School: Grades 9 & 10

5		♪ Keep them moving. They can’t sit for long, so keep segments and activities around 10-15 minutes and then change it up (different activity/location, movement break, stretch). Several short play breaks are better than one long break. Kitchen timers can help both you (to plan) and the campers. Remind them, “We have 5 more minutes until…”	♪ Keep them moving. They can handle longer segments/activities (20- 30 minutes), but need a wide variety. Provide breaks and free time, but set boundaries. Create opportunities for them to release energy.	♪ Never, ever bluff. Always follow through on tasks and promises. Stick to your published agenda – if you change it make changes public so teens’ expectations are clear.
6		♪ Plan hands-on activities. Learning activities should not be lecture-based. Have them moving, touching things. talking, writing/drawing, DOING.	♪ Use manipulatives. Give them things to touch. For example, give cards they can hold up instead of raising hands. When possible have examples of concepts they can see and work with (models, dolls, blocks, cut-out flowchart symbols, money).	♪ Give more responsibility -- Create leadership opprtunities (ie keeping track of time, doing teachbacks to group, setting up room, etc…), but keep an eye out. For instance, give them the responsibility of walking to the bathroom alone, but make sure they know where it is (because they won’t ask) and have a sense of how long they have been gone (because they will push the boundaries and say they didn’t know).
7		♪ Plan partner and small-group activities. Allow them to talk to peers and work together to allow them social time as well as make shy ones feel more comfortable.	♪ Let them talk. Create activities that have a lot of discussion or partner/group talk. Also important to plan free time for them to talk to each other that is unstructured.	♪ Make them role models. Let them know that the young girls look up to them and want to be like them. That means that the teens can have a really positive impact on the younger impressionable girls (possibly more than us). Use this as motivation to encourage teens to participate in full group Hall of Sisterhood activities.
8		♪ Provide structure. Have a schedule or agenda and tell them the objectives and activities they will participate in beforehand. Calling the activity a “game” gives them incentive to listen and participate. When giving directions for something, clearly tell and show Step 1, Step 2, Step 3...	♪ Give choices. Provide choices in activities, rewards, and how to explore new content—everything! If possible, try to give choice about working with partner, small group, or independently.	♪ Give them choices so that they are able to make decisions for themselves or with the group. For instance, ask feedback about what to add to agenda, what activities to do next, etc…
9			♪ Provide rationales. Explain why a skill or concept is important. Show how real musicians use what they are doing and learning.	♪ Plan activities. Activities keep their attention and help them apply the information you are teaching! Try to make activities age-appropriate (ex: use pop culture references and social justice topics instead of talking about unicorns and friendship bracelets). Make activities interactive,
10		♪ Incorporate whole-group games and challenges into activities. “Let’s see if we can…”	♪ Use humor. Teacher attitude, tone, and sense of humor are critical for this age. Prevent them from taking themselves too seriously.
11		Other Tips for 8 - 10 Year Olds	Other Tips for 11 - 13 Year Olds	Other Tips for 14 - 16 Year Olds
12		♪ Have a ball to squeeze handy (or other objects) for fidgeters.	♪ Encourage problem-solving and debate.	♪ Do not give busy-work or tasks for which meaning is unclear.
13		♪ Stay positive! Find someone doing what they are supposed to and say, “I like the way Shelbo is ___.” The others should follow.	♪ Incorporate opportunities for them to set short term goals, track progress, and compete against their personal bests.
14		♪ When a student is off-task or not following directions, ask them what they should be doing, instead of saying “NO!”	♪ Give them work that feels “grown up” (research, interviews, tasks professionals would do).
15		♪ Try to use other signals for quiet (raised hand, clap pattern, chant), instead of raising your voice.	♪ Help them “save face.” When possible, handle discipline or criticism in private. Be constructive and positive and encourage self-evaluation when you offer feedback.
16		♪ Nominate campers with outstanding behavior for “I Rock” buttons.
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