● PLAN
ACT 4
CONNECT
REFLECT
SET GOALS
Constructing a Sociogram
Construct a sociogram to gather information about what the students believe forwards their learning. Draw the relationships on a piece of paper after you collect
the data so you can see who the stars and isolates are in the classroom.
Directions:
1. Ask students in the classroom to list three students, by first, second, and
third choice, with whom they would prefer to work in the classroom. (Make
a distinction between work partners and social partners outside of school.)
Tell them it is for possible future group projects and that you may use it to try
and create teams with at least one person they prefer to work with.
2. Have the students write why they selected each student. This will give you
some insight, and themes may repeat themselves.
January
3. Collect the data and make a grid with students’ names across the top and
down the left side. Graph paper works well. Place a 1, 2, or 3 under the
student’s name as indicated to show choices.
Sample Sociogram
Kas
Carlos
Germaine
Olga
Kas
—
1
3
2
Carlos
3
—
1
2
Germaine
3
2
—
1
Olga
3
2
1
—
4. Tally choices to indicate most preferred working partners (commonly
called stars) and least selected working partners (referred to as isolates).
From Pelletier, Carol Marra. Strategies For Successful Student Teaching: A Comprehensive Guide, 2/e. Published by Allyn and
Bacon, Boston, MA. Copyright © 2004 by Pearson Education. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.
Part II
●
Month-by-Month Mentoring
147
January
● PLAN
CONNECT
ACT 5
REFLECT
SET GOALS
Social Activities and a Sense of Humor!
Most of your meetings so far this year are probably spent trying to resolve issues,
share challenges, and discuss problems. Even though there is a place for acknowledgment, it often gets buried by pressing emotional worries you bring to the table.
Make this activity just about fun. What might you enjoy doing socially? Do you
want to have a school social? A reception? A party? A movie night? What would be
good for you and other new teachers right now? Ask your mentor to assist you in
finding space, resources, and the time to do this. You do need to connect with
other new teachers and find some time to laugh about what is happening in your
classrooms. Perhaps you will want to schedule something similar every month.
Take time! Make time! Here are some ideas to consider.
New-Teacher Appreciation Day (or Night or Saturday)
Organize a social event for the new teachers in the district. Perhaps go to a play
together, or a show, or just out to dinner. Maybe the school could even pay! This
should be social, fun, and welcoming.
Social Life Survival Directory
Find out where to go for great meals or social interaction. You have been so busy
teaching, you probably have not done many fun things, and many of you might
now be complaining that you have “no social life.” Ask your mentors to create
a Social Survival Directory for you!
Sense of Humor Booklet
Share any funny stories that have happened in your classrooms. Create a list of
humorous situations you have encountered and share them! Laugh!
Remember that talking about students, their parents, or any other school issue is
not appropriate at any event. Everyone has had an experience where you have
heard gossip and inappropriate information being transferred about students.
Professionalism and confidentiality must be a priority for you as a new teacher.
Have fun, but not at others’ expense.
148
The First Year Matters: Being Mentored . . . In Action!