Guide Others - Reflections on How Adults Use This EFF Skill

"Mentors are guides. They lead us along the journey of our lives. We trust them because they have been there before. They embody our hopes, cast light on the way ahead, interpret arcane signs, warn us of lurking dangers, and point out unexpected delights along the way."13
-Laurent A. Daloz

Insights From Field Research:
Using the Standard to Guide Teaching and Learning

Judy B. Wurtz
Sweetwater Union High School District,
Division of Adult and Continuing Education, Chula Vista, CA
 ESOL Level 2; Series of lessons, small group activity.
Teacher data from third round of field review, 1999.
(Adapted from Equipped for the Future Content Standards, p. 46.)

"As I think about what we did and how much more focused the students were in their groups, it seems that the English almost takes care of itself. Students will automatically do better on the CASAS standardized tests because they are listening to and using more English in the classroom. I think that next semester I will begin with the Standard 'Guide Others' in order to help solve the problem of unfocused groups and using too much Spanish in their groups."

What are the steps you will look for in order to know if your students are making progress towards meeting the Standard?

  • Students will ask what other students need.
  • Students will listen with attention before responding or offering any guidance.
  • Students will be able to restate the expressed need accurately.
  • From a list of suggested activities, students will be able to choose one that meets the needs of the person they are guiding.
  • Some students will be able to create their own activity/strategy for guiding.
  • Students will ask each other if their guidance was helpful and how or how it was not.

What evidence of student progress did you see and how did you document it?
Students were more focused in the guidance they offered and in the activities they chose for their group. Students were aware of the needs that different activities addressed. Those students who felt they would not be able to offer any guidance were able to help each other. Some students who were very skeptical of gaining any benefit from other members of the group (as opposed to help from the teacher) said they learned from other group members. Students answered the final questions on their Standard -- Guide Others handout.