• Welcome
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Learning Apps
  • Alphabet
  • Learn to Read
  • Phonics
  • Spelling
  • Struggling Readers
  • Comprehension
  • Writing with Kids
  • Free Printables

This Reading Mama

Quick Tips for Independent Work

By thisreadingmama 1 Comment

When you’re teaching more than one learner, independent work is necessary. In order to work one-on-one with a child or with small groups of learners, the other learners need to be doing something.

If independent work is not executed in a purposeful manner, it can become a necessary “evil”, serving to frustrate your learner(s) and you!

Do you ever find yourself saying to those little blessings, “You can do this by yourself…you don’t need my help!” {multiple times, I might add}? I hope I’m not the only one in this boat!

Here are a few suggestions in regards to independent work-and these apply not only to reading, but to any content area.

 

1. Independent Work should be used to review something you have already introduced to your learner(s).

Independent Work is not a time to introduce new material and then walk away. Learners should already possess the skills and strategies to tackle the assignment on their own; thus the word independent. Just be sure you’ve spent some time with guided practice before expecting independence.

Some ideas include:

  • Independent work time is a great time to use activity pages and workbooks to review skills and strategies you’ve already learned together.
  • Already done an activity together? Use independent time for learners to review that same activity (maybe in a different way). Meaningful repetition is an important component of learning.
  • When learners are expected to independently read and comprehend a text, they need to be able to read 98% or more of the words on their own.

2. Create activities that are “self-checking.”

Self-checking means that the activity has a built-in checking system that will alert learners when they have made a mistake.

For example, you can write the answer on the back of each card so learners can flip over and check their answer. {Picture above: Free Phoneme Counting Cards.}

 

Or you can print cards front to back so the word is on the back. Learners can check that against what they’ve spelled or sorted. {Pictured above: Word Family Cards from Reading the Alphabet}

 

3. Establish a routine for getting help.

When I taught in the classroom, I had a little stuffed dog I would set out on the table if I was working one-on-one or with a small group. His presence meant do not disturb Mrs. Spence unless it’s an emergency!

When learners can’t get help from you, establish a back-up plan for getting help. There’s no need to have the plan figured out yourself. Before independent work, pose this question to your learner(s), “If I can’t help you, what are some other resources you can use?” Brainstorm some together, then decide on two or three so learners are armed with help strategies.

I like Carisa’s help card system concerning independent work. This is also an awesome post about workboxes. Scroll down through the post towards the bottom to see the “help” system.

4. Create a reward for accomplished work.

Our may learners still exclaim, “I just can’t do it!” Again, be sure you’ve provided enough guided practice so learners CAN apply the things they’ve learned to the learning activity.

Even with everything done “right,” certain activities, such as writing, may be a trigger for frustration or melt-downs. Plan ahead! Have something special waiting for them on the other side. {Keep these special things simple.}

 

Do you have any suggestions to share concerning independent work?  I’d love to hear them!

 

Enjoy!
~Becky

Want MORE Free Teaching Resources?

Join thousands of other subscribers to get hands-on activities and printables delivered right to your inbox!

Filed Under: Homeschooling Tagged With: independent work, modeling, teaching strategies, teaching tips

« Short a Review
-at hat slider »

Trackbacks

  1. How to Make Worksheets Hands-On and Fun says:
    September 11, 2013 at 5:45 am

    […] take a more prominent place in their learning.  Why is that? Because worksheets make for great independent work while you’re teaching other students.  But using too many worksheets can make schoolwork […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

JOIN MY NEWSLETTER

and get free printables!

Sign me up!


Hi! I’m Becky, a homeschooling mama with 4 blessings who keep me on my toes {and knees}. Before homeschooling, I was a classroom teacher (M.Ed.) and reading tutor. Read more about me here.

Let’s Get Connected!

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Checkout
  • Privacy
  • Affiliates

Copyright © 2023 · Designed by Visibilia Media

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkRead more