Getting to Know You + Information from Coordinators
One of the most important components of a reading mentoring program is the building of relationships between the students and the mentors. While the coordinator is in the process of assessing students, assembling books, and organizing materials; use the “Getting to Know You” materials for one to two weeks and then begin the Reading-tutors packets.
The goal of Getting to Know You is for each student and mentor to learn more about the other through discussions. The activities encourage “getting to know you” conversations.
The Getting to Know You booklet can have pages copied and added to accommodate the number of mentors each student has, or a different mentor could add his/her drawings to the back of the page.
The worksheets and activities are to be completed with the mentor and student taking turns answering, or each doing the same activities. The mentor needs to write most of the answers because the goal is to initiate dialogue (these are not instructional activities). Skip coloring unless the mentor and student do this together while discussing the pictures. Story starters can be fun since the mentor will do the writing and both the mentor and student can take turns adding a sentence to the story.
Also, choose a book, a non-textbook, for the mentor to read to the student. The coordinator can include the “Tell Me About This Book” bookmark to help the mentor think of questions to ask about the book read.
Worksheets that promote conversations can also be added. See www.learningpage.com for free worksheets and books that could expand the Getting to Know You lessons.
Getting to Know You: Lesson Plan, Booklet, and Bookmark
Michele has shared a Getting to Know You poster to add to your lessons:
“Here is a cute poster that could be printed off to use during the ‘Get To Know You’
section of Project MORE with younger students. Best thing of all…it’s free!”
http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/media/images/free_resources/parents_corner/worksheets_printables/AboutMeWorksheet.pdf?ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181113&bmUID=1287776782930
Another Coordinator shared her “Getting to Know You 20 Questions”.
There is a list of 20 questions (attached). The directions to the Mentor are: Choose a few questions from the list that you feel will help you to get to know your mentee. Ask the questions, and write the mentee’s answers. Please tell the mentee your answers to these questions when applicable. Keep the questions with answers in the mentee’s folder for future reference.