Do you need help?

Hello everyone!!  I am over at First Grade and Fabulous today as part of our Blog Swap and Hop, so if you want to go and collect my freebies over there, you are more than welcome to!  Below is a post from my Swap Partner, Michelle from Teach 123.  Read on to see what she has to say!

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I am excited to join in the the Top Teachers Blog Swap and Hop today.  I hope you enjoy our hop and get to know some new bloggers!

It seems like every year a teacher's job gets more challenging. Testing, documenting, and all the other tasks don't leave much time to get the other work done that is also part of the job. One way to help with the “plate is too full” syndrome is with school helpers. Parents are often an untapped resource. This packet has a few ways I've used school helpers through the years. I explain the duties of the different jobs at Back to School night and ask for volunteers. The added bonus of having involved parents is that it builds trust with your parent population. If one of your parents has questions about what is going on in your classroom, they will frequently ask for input from your school helpers. School helpers are ALWAYS amazed at how hard a teacher works. They quickly assure the parent that all is well in your classroom and will usually give some examples of some great things they've seen in your room. Your school helpers are often your informal ambassadors!

Science Helpers:

I had science mom who came in once a week. I left my Science T.E. on my desk opened to that day's science experiment. My science mom set up all of the supplies for the weekly science experiment. Plus, she stayed and helped during the lesson. While she was setting up, I was teaching the whole group lesson. My science mom also cleaned up everything when we finished while I

began teaching our next subject. I felt like I had the best quality science lessons when I organized my science this way.

Emergency Helpers:

This is a parent who has a flexible schedule and doesn't have small children at home. Sometimes this parent may be called on to run to the store to purchase last minute supplies or another day he/she may be asked to chaperone a field trip when a volunteer cancels at the last minute.

Field Trip Helpers:

I like to have one parent who helps with organizing the field trip. This helper makes calls, researches possible field trip locations, makes nametags, and all the other details involved with a field trip. The other helpers are the chaperones on the field trip.

Teacher's Helper:

The teacher's helper is my right hand. I couldn't do all that I do without this special helper. Although I ask for volunteers at Back to School night, I don't actually choose a helper until I've gotten to know my parents. This helper needs to be very organized and detail oriented. If I am lucky enough to have two of these parents who are organized, I have them both be my

helper and come in and help on alternate weeks.

Writing Helper:

A writing helper can be used a variety of ways. Sometimes I have them come in to help edit when we are at that stage of the writing process. Other times, my class has published books throughout the year. This helper binds the books together for me.

All of this information along with signup sheets are included with my FREE School Helpers packet.  Click below to get your copy.