Preparing a teacher's guide

Preparing a teacher's guide

by	Carole P. Spaeth (compiler)

Introduction

A teacher's guide (or teaching instructions) is a supplement to the training that the teacher receives in the method that is used for literacy instruction. The guide will assure that the teacher appropriately applies the principles and techniques learned in the training as he or she is teaching the lessons.

You can choose from several different formats in designing your teachers guide. Here are two recommended formats:

A special edition of the primer with extra pages containing the teachers' notes.

Note:
These pages can be
- inserted along with the appropriate lesson, or
- included at the end of the book.
A separate book which may include all the notes for the entire primer series.

Note:

Through field testing, it has been discovered that teachers find it difficult to use extensive teaching notes. For teaching instructions to be useful, the notes should be simple with each lesson following the same pattern.

Prerequisites

Here are some prerequisites for preparing a teacher's guide:

You need to prepare the lessons based on the instructional program you have chosen.
You need to decide which language the guide will be written in.
You need to train the teachers in the method.

Note:
Alternatively, you may follow the teacher's guide in training the teachers.

Things to do
	Here are some things to do when you prepare a teacher's guide:
	Introductory section
	Prepare a brief statement of the purpose and contents of the book and for whom it is intended. Prepare a statement of general advice on the teaching method, including writing, and the use of teaching aids, etc. Prepare notes on any features of the language which need special comment (such as tone marks, elision. etc.) Prepare an outline of a typical lesson plan for each type of lesson (such as new letter, functor, review, etc.). Prepare examples on how to teach each part of a lesson, such as "How to teach the story". Include such things as what the teacher is supposed to say and do.
	Teaching instructions
	Prepare specific instructions for each individual lesson, such as what element the teacher will be teaching, what preparation they need to make, what supplemental materials are needed, etc..
	Tests
	Prepare tests for the teacher to give to the students at specific points in the course.
	Supplemental materials
	Prepare additional stories for reading aloud. Prepare additional exercises or games to accompany lessons.

Sources
	A workshop guide for primer construction (Barnwell) Contents of a teachers' guide (Hunter)

Context for this page:

Task module: Preparing a teacher's guide, by Carole P. Spaeth (compiler)
In task module: Developing materials to teach reading and writing
In task module: Developing instructional materials, by Trudy K. Stewart, Leah B. Walter (contributor), and Trudi C. Hunt (contributor)
In task module: Developing an instructional program, by Kenneth A. Boothe (contributor), Patricia M. Davis (contributor), Trudy K. Stewart (general editor), Leah B. Walter (contributor), Glenys Waters (contributor), and Adelle R. Walter (illustrator)
In task module: Implementing a literacy program, by Carole P. Spaeth (compiler)
In modular book: Implement a literacy program, by Carole P. Spaeth (compiler) and Leah B. Walter (compiler)
In bookshelf: Literacy

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 22 October 1999