Student
Orientation
Taking
time to prepare your students before bringing them together
with the older adult partners will go a long way towards insuring
a successful project. The following are some suggestions for
preparing young children for an intergenerational experience:
- Begin
with a classroom discussion. Prior to their first meeting
with the older adults, the teacher should take the time
to discuss the project with the students. Explain that they
will have the opportunity to gain new friendships while
learning more about growing older. Give examples of some
of the events and activities that they will be participating
in during the project. Encourage the children to express
any questions or concerns they may have about the project
or older people in general.
- Review
effective communication skills. When we talk about what
we say, how we listen, and what we understand, we become
better communicators.
- When
young children meet an older adult for the first time,
shyness may impede communication. Taking the time to
practice introductions in the classroom may help the
students feel more comfortable when the actual meeting
takes place. Teach the children to introduce themselves
by saying, "Hello, I am John," or "I
am Kate," while looking the other person in the
eye and smiling. Remind children that it is not appropriate
to call the older adult by his or her first name unless
requested to do so. Suggest that the student ask the
older adult, "What would you like me to call you?"
- Give
students a brief explanation about the hearing and vision
changes that sometimes occur with aging and introduce
helpful listening and speaking skills to aid in communicating
with older adults who may be experiencing these changes.
Some suggestions you might offer are:
- Do
not speak rapidly.
- Face
the person you are speaking to.
- Speak
in complete sentences.
- No
mumbling! Enunciate your words clearly.
- If
the person seems to have difficulty understanding
what you said, try repeating yourself using different
words.
- Emphasize
the use of good manners in general.
-
Do not interrupt your partner when he/she is speaking.
- Look
your partner in the eye when he/she is speaking
to you.
- Give
your partner your complete attention when he/she
is speaking. Don't look around the room or carry
on a conversation with someone else!
- Practice
conducting an interview. Depending upon the age and
ability level of your students, you may need to do some
pre-activities to prepare them for interviewing their partner.
- Provide
students with a copy of the Interview Sheet they will
be using. Read the questions aloud and clarify the meaning
of any vocabulary words students may be unfamiliar with.
- Have
students practice their interview skills by asking each
other questions. Emphasize the need to wait between
questions for an answer.
- Review
note-taking skills. Explain to the children that there
is no need to write down each and every word of an answer.
Practice picking out words from teacher generated statements
that will help the student remember what his/her partner
answered.
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