What is on my tutoring desk

What are the top must-have items on my desk, to support lessons running smoothly? It’s a bit of a lighter blog post this week, as we head into the final 5 weeks of term, and our poor brains are at capacity with assessment, report writing, and generally keeping it together. Due to this, I thought I might share the things I keep on my desk, and how I store them all.

  • A Selection of Pens:

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I like to include a range of colours and styles of pens. In an environment where I am working with students who are perhaps not keen to write, or hesitant to write, sometimes the biggest motivation to get down those first written activities can be an exciting pen or pencil to write with. 

  • A Selection of Whiteboard Markers:

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I like to mix up the written work we do between bookwork, as well as providing the opportunity to write on a vertical surface. The vertical surface I have in my learning space is a large whiteboard. We also begin our lessons with irregular words, and I find using the small whiteboards for this activity is a great way to ease into the work, especially if the irregular words are not secure and require multiple repetitions, or need to be quickly erased in order to correct spelling.

  • Correction Tape and Erasers/Rubbers:

Mistakes happen, and correction tape and rubbers are your quick fix when students need to correct spelling in their workbooks. Immediate and corrective feedback is incredibly important, and keeping work tidy and legible is essential. It’s a small tool that makes a big impact.

  • Hand Sanitizer:

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In the era of heightened hygiene awareness, hand sanitizer is a non-negotiable addition on my desk. This ensures my tutoring sessions remain focused on literacy development, not on the sniffles.

  • Alphabet Strips:

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The humble alphabet strip is an essential and effective tool for reinforcing the alphabetic principle. It assists in reinforcing the foundational sound and symbol concept with students and can also be used a quick reference tool during lessons

  • The Date in Full:

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Writing the date in full is a great way to practice the following skills: Capital letters; Irregular words; Days of the week; Months of the year; Number ordinance. Dates are so much more than just a formality. 

  • A Selection of Highlighters:

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Highlighters bring attention to key points. I use the pink to think, blue to do, and gold for glory system. 

  • Fidget Toys:

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Fidget toys are small, handheld objects that can be manipulated with the hands. I find they support self-regulation and help learners with ADHD improve their ability to focus and better tolerate feelings of boredom, anxiety, and/or excitement.

  • Scissors, Glue, and a Ruler:

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I think these ones speak for themselves!

  • Dice and Counters:

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I’m big on bringing an element of gamification into each and every literacy session. Dice and counters are versatile tools for creating engaging activities that make learning fun for both teachers and students. We can play four in a rows, snakes and ladders, bingo, and tic tac toe with them.

  • Pencil Sharpener:

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A sharp pencil is a small detail that makes a big difference.

  • A Stamp:

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Sometimes a simple stamp can convey encouragement or approval more effectively than words. Having a stamp can help celebrate achievements, students love to pop that big stamp on themselves.

What are your essentials? What did I miss?

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