Replies

1. 
   silkscape_ | Jan 06, 2002 05:08am | #1

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   There is a book called "The busines of Teaching Sewing". It is wonderful and I think you'd enjoy it. It'll give you ideas for advertising and how to present information to students. Even how to evaluate the classes after. Best wishes to you!

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   sewfun_ | Jan 09, 2002 08:19pm | #2

   *thankyou dawnj! i will start there

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   Sarah_Kayla | Jan 11, 2002 05:11pm | #3

   *Prepare, prepare, prepare....Think about 1 - who is this class for? 2 - what are your goals? 3- what are the goals of your students? 4- How do I help my students feel successful, have fun & learnBe obsessive in your preparations. have all materials at hand, and well organized ahead of time. Write out a lesson plan. Write out a schedule and a plan for each class so you don't wander off. Be aware of the clock. The more your students are doing rather than listening, the better they will learn. Compliment your students often. Help them to see that errors are a part of the process. Help them learn from their errors. Create a collaboratvie atmosphere. Encourage students to help eachother solve problems. Have music going while people are working. Give students a variety of methods and techniques - each set of hands and brains learns and solves problems differently. Understand and teach that there is always more than one approach to do anything. Empower your students to make their own decisions. " What do you think might work here? What do you think went wrong??? Why did this work???" Encourage students to visit eachother's work - "Ooooh look how Lisa solved this problem. Emily chose such cool colors"In every class that I have taught there have been students who have surpassed me in one or more areas. Use their skills and talents. See yourself as a facilitator rather than the font of all knowledge. Admit when you don't know an answer - admit when you are muddling through an answer.Keep pointing out small gains they have made and lovely things about their work that they may not have notices.love your students - and have fun.

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   sewfun_ | Jan 12, 2002 08:48am | #4

   *thank you for your help...what great advice..i will post a message soon about how my first class went. sewfun