Enthusiasm

Working with children in small group situations gives me a chance to really relate to the students and understand the best ways to help them. After having an entire classroom for six years to compare to this year where I work with small groups it is rewarding in a different way. The children in the small group always willingly come to the door ready to learn. They want to do their best and love all of the attention that their receive. An article I discovered on the Internet suggested that working in small groups is an important structure that helps to foster better learning (http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us/E2T2/smallgrouplearning.html).

Research does not specifically highlight that enthusiasm is an important factor of small group work, however it is. Today I had a chance to listen in on a small group session between a para professional teacher and three students. They were working on letters. Two of the students were having a difficult time remembering their letters, while one student understood her letters. What was wonderful about viewing this work session was that while the two children did not have a strong grasp of letters and the one child did- they were all excited to learn. The para professional kept an encouraging voice and gave them opportunities for success.