MODULE 8 PRESENTATION

Fostering peer relationships

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Why this module?

» Research says teacher’s aide support can sometimes hinder friendships developing between students

» There are challenges to supporting a student while fostering their connections to peers.

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Belonging

» Caring and supportive relationships are critical to students’ learning and wellbeing at school

» When we are connected, we feel like we belong» It’s important to foster students’ connections with each

other.

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Belonging

Relationships, environment and school programmes need to:» recognise students» respect students» include students’ identity,

languages and cultures.

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Belonging

» Staff model behaviour and teach students to take responsibility for each other

» Staff with high expectations believe all students can learn and succeed.

If students are identified as belonging, they are expected to participate

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Peer-to-peer learning

» Students learn through peer-to-peer interactions» Teachers can foster this through shared activities, with

students working:– as partners– in teams/groups– with the whole class.

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Peer-to-peer learning

» If teachers’ aides provide one-to-one support, this may make the student dependent on them

» Teachers’ aides need to read a situation and be flexible; is it best to step in or observe?

» Observing provides space for interaction.

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Fostering friendships

Teachers’ aides can:» look for ways to identify common interests between

students» offer help to students who need support to join in» gauge their proximity to the student; are they helping the

student to make friends or hindering?

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Working together

» Teachers and teachers’ aides plan how to ensure students can develop relationships, connect with and learn from their peers.

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Next step?

Download the workbook for this module at: teachersandteachersaides.tki.org.nz/Our-work-together/Module-8

To find out more about Teachers and Teachers’ Aides Working Together and to access the other modules go to: teachersandteachersaides.tki.org.nz

MODULE 8: Fostering peer relationships