List of Skills
by
Mary Yenik
What specific skills do you want your students to master this week? This year?
At a recent ENVoY training, we asked teachers to form small groups and generate a list of those skills. We then compiled the list of some 50 skills and made copies for everyone. The group quickly realized—with some surprise—that most of the skills dealt not with cognitive skills but with behavioral skills. Things like completing work, table manners, and how to walk in the hallway.
With the master list in hand, we turned to one of the top ENVoY skills: “Go Visual” with expectations for student behavior. Michael Grinder madethe suggestion that teachers create individual laminated cards* for each skill, cards that have not only the name of the skill but also a picture of the skill. Having some kind of graphic—not just words--is of immense value in skill development, and luckily, the picture need not be high quality art but just something good enough to reinforce the words.
Below is a list of the skills that came from this brief group exercise; many other skills could be added, but this sample may spark your own thinking.
Note: The majority of those attending this workshop were teaching in self-contained elementary school classroomsand/or were Montessori Teachers.
*Note: Someone suggested putting Velcro or a small magnet on the back of each laminated card to make it easier to display.
Sit quietly on carpet
Stay in seat in lunchroom
Walk quietly in hall, in classroom
Share material
Organize materials
Table manners
Respect boundaries
Kind words
Appropriate language
Ask permission
Safe use of materials
Manage your time
Report emergency
Difference in talking and tattling
Inside body
Articulate thoughts in organized manner
Sit properly in chair
Use words
Blow nose – use tissue
No tapping
Only food in mouth
Stop for the bell
Lay out work and keep it that way
Be gentle
Motivate to work
Throw away trash
Restore the work
Independent work, work alone
Silence
Sit in circle
Focus - concentrate
Do not interrupt
Raise your hand
Stay on task
Walk
Keep head up
Wash hands
Cover your mouth
Rug in right place
Take turns
Eye contact
Soft voice inside
You are here to learn
Hands to self
Stay with your work
Reference teacher
Respect others
Respect materials
Personal hygiene
Complete work
Challenge yourself
Teach another child
Work on your level