Building Bridges-Strategies to Help Paraprofessionals Promote Peer Interaction by Robyn Klim https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5 In what ways will I support peer interactions in classrooms for students? en-us 2019-02-20 20:42:11 UTC 2025-11-23 20:30:06 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Balance.png Danielle Feniger https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335497151 Peer Interaction can be supported in many ways in the classroom. One way is through group work. It is important to support both the general ed kids as well as the kids with disabilities. The children need to socially try their best to be on their own rather than having the paraprofessionals speak their every action. Grouping kids with same interests can also help the children easily adapt to one another and encourage peer closeness. The goal for the paraprofessional is to take the step back approach in order for the child with disabilities to not rely on the paraprofessional to be their voice.]]> 2019-02-26 17:30:55 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335497151 Dawn Sullo https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335497184 There are many ways which I support peer interaction in the classroom. One way to support peer interaction is during group work. It is important to not only support the child with the disability but also support the general education students as well. In addition it is important to focus on children with common interests among peers so the child with the disability can sustain independence through peer interactions whether it be during recess, snack, or group work. It is the goal for the paraprofessional to take the step back approach to allow the child with disabilities to interact independently without relying on the paraprofessional to be their voice.]]> 2019-02-26 17:30:58 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335497184 Bonnie Glatzer There are a multitude of ways to facilitate peer interactions in the classroom. One of the most important ways in which to encourage peer interactions between a paraprofessional's students and other classroom youngsters is to point out shared commonalities. For example, a student of yours might have an interest in a certain computer game, is an avid listener of a particular rock band's music, shares a love of a specific sport or team(you get the idea!), make it your priority to introduce him/her to another class member with similar interests. A budding friendship might just be in the making! bglatzer2 https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335501872 2019-02-26 17:38:45 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335501872 Donna Tepedin https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335502067 There are many ways to support peer interaction.  As a Kindergarten TA you must make a decision on when  using peer support.  Many times kindergarten students are not socially skilled and  miss social cues and  we need to model acceptable responses for students. 
  ]]> 2019-02-26 17:39:06 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335502067 Jayne Schoch https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335504262 There are many ways paraprofessionals can promote peer interaction. One way is to pair up the student with a suitable student that will encourage and model social interaction without making it obvious that that was the goal. Related arts can be particularly difficult for many of these children but also a good opportunity to promote socialization. It is usually a very positive experience for both students.

]]> 2019-02-26 17:42:33 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335504262 Donna Dziobak I will try to support peer interaction by pointing out similarities or shared interests between students. I can encourage conversation if the time is appropriate. I can assist students to invite other kids to play or social during recess or free time. https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335505831 2019-02-26 17:44:49 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335505831 Bonnie Glatzer An additional way to foster peer interaction between who work with a TA and the mainstream child, is to develop a strategy whereby you create better communication skills, specifically the art of conversation. Perhaps, the TA can role play a dialogue with the student until the student's comfort level reaches a point where he/she is able to initiate a conversation independently. Not only is this an essential skill in a school setting, but it is also a skill necessary in the game of life. bglatzer2 https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335511835 2019-02-26 17:53:19 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335511835 Carol Cordiner Peer Interaction can be supported in many ways during classroom instruction as well as lunch and recess. Students with disabilities need to practice learned interaction skills. This may require a TA to model acceptable responses when another person is speaking to the student. Using peers in group situations will help foster interactions between students. Invite students with similar interest to join the group. There are many students, not classified, that can benefit by engaging in social interactions. A TA needs to step back at times and observe social interactions between students. https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335523737 2019-02-26 17:58:13 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335523737 Pamela Donahoe https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335533080 There are many ways to support peer interaction in the classroom. During work time,including students with disabilities to work closely with other peers. Encourage students to invite others to socialize, work or play.]]> 2019-02-26 18:04:33 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335533080 Joyce Pacicca I will support peer interaction in the classroom by drawing attention to similarities and interests between students to support and enhance classroom learning for all students. https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335535172 2019-02-26 18:07:14 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335535172 Maureen Reed I will support peer interaction in the classroom by encouraging students to complete their classroom responsibilities, which will also assist in developing interactions between students in many positive ways. https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335538973 2019-02-26 18:11:44 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335538973 Rosemary Meicke There are many ways peer interactions can be supported during classroom instruction. One way is to encourage students and TA's to share common interest.Also teach students to invite other students to work, play,or socialize with them. Using peers support and enhance classroom learning. https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335539314 semary]]> 2019-02-26 18:12:14 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335539314 beth evangelista https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335539847 I would definitely support peer interaction in the classroom by encouraging students to interact with each other in a positive way.If interaction is not posiitive,I would then model the acceptable way in developing positive interactions.


]]> 2019-02-26 18:13:00 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335539847 Anne Tozzi https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335543512 There are many ways to help students with disabilities in the classroom. Giving students responsibilities within the classroom and school environment addresses functional skills and also helps build a sense of belonging.]]> 2019-02-26 18:16:54 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335543512 Janine Fabiano I will support peer interactions in the classroom by assisting with students to build social skills. This will encourage students to interact with each naturally in the classroom settings and hopefully a friendship is formed. https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335544260 2019-02-26 18:18:06 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335544260 connie mckenn https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335545057 I will try to support peer interaction by pointing out and encouraging students to complete their classroom responsibility. Also to encouraging students to interact more with the classmates.]]> 2019-02-26 18:19:23 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335545057 E Heider Supporting students with disabilities in the classroom through social interactions with their peers is a great way to promote the challenges the student may have with social situations. Encouraging peer support and student to student interaction has many benefits for encouraging independence and support from peers to achieve success. It also helps with social interactions in the classroom that can then support interaction outside the classroom. I will support those students through encouragement and modeling and giving the student situations that are more interactive. https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335545480  ]]> 2019-02-26 18:20:07 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335545480 Mary O’Keefe https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335550505

I support peer interaction by promoting interaction between mainstream students and students with disabilities by redirecting students to ask peers for help rather then always depending on an adult. The amount of interaction between students depends on the grade level and the ability of the peers to interact. I do not believe it is fair to hold our disabled students to a higher standard then the students in a main stream classes. Many students do not have social skills. I feel that we need to adjust our expectations as we go. Many times we have to improvise to truly help our students. We need to monitor our disabled students and step in only when truly needed. Students need to be allowed to make mistakes, both disabled and mainstream students, in order to teach them life lessons. While modeling accepted responses, it needs to be said that students have a responsibility to follow the lead of the educator and that consequences need to be put in place when they do not. I believe that peer intervention is a part of the job of a TA when appropriate and beneficial to students..]]> 2019-02-26 18:25:45 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335550505 https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335551882 Alexa Depietri 
I like the concept of promoting interdependence. It definitely creates a positive social environment for the students if they are supporting each other. If the student was unable to reach success with peer support, then the paraprofessional could step in. In order to help support peer interactions I will allow students to seek peer support before stepping in to allow for a more natural social experience for the student. I will position myself within a comfortable distance as to still see and hear what is going on while providing enough space for student to interact with others. I will be sure to encourage earning items to include a peer as to not further isolate the student. The students should be with their mainstream peers as often as possible so I will ensure we are with the student’s class for transitions as well as the main activity. I will try to help a student find common ground with his or her peers if social settings can be difficult. I will also be sure to make sure the students are engaging with each other rather than with me. If a student asks me a question about my student, I will redirect that question for my student to answer.  For students who struggle to interact with peers, I will provide opportunities to practice and model social skills. I will guide peer buddies on how to interact with my student if needed and shape behaviors if need be, whether it is in the form of too much support, speaking inappropriately or any other instance. For nonverbal students, I will teacher other students how to utilize communication devices and strategies so that the conversation between two students can be more authentic. I will also teach both my student and their peers the appropriate times to ask for a teacher’s help. I will also attempt to fade support to the appropriate level for my specific student and the specific activity. ]]> 2019-02-26 18:27:09 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335551882 Beth Petroff I will support peer interaction by encouraging children to share similar life experiences with each other and draw attention to similar interests between students. https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335553958 2019-02-26 18:29:07 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335553958 Marcie Wagner https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335555748 I would definitely support peer interactions in classroom . I would like children to try to work independently with their peers. Every child deserves to be independent other children need to understand disabilities and try to recognize other disabilities.]]> 2019-02-26 18:32:01 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335555748 Jen Essner / Teresa Armitt We would definitely support peer interaction by encouraging our students to be more social with their peers. One example would be for them to seek out help from their peers rather than them be so dependent on the teacher assistant. Another way would be to ask a peer/ friend to join them during an earned reward. We feel that this would build their social skills with their peers and help make them more independent. https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335560888 2019-02-26 18:36:34 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335560888 Wendy Cohen Natasha Caravella Ronda Gorsky Renee Natoli https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335561080 We will support peer interactions between students by encouraging our students to ask for help from their peers and not rely on adults for help.We will help build social skills by modeling and encouraging appropriate social behavior in the lunchroom, playground and classroom. Also it is important to  teach others how to interact with the students that have disabilities. Try to pair up students with similar interests like dancing, singing, sports etc. to encourage friendships. Every situation and student is unique and would require different approaches.]]> 2019-02-26 18:36:47 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335561080 Alice Gonzalez https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335571040 There are many ways to support and encourage peer interactions in the classroom. As an ELL TA I encourage my ESL students to build social skills by asking their peers questions first. Giving them the power and responsibility to be their own voice helps build their confidence! ]]> 2019-02-26 18:47:35 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335571040 Stephie Sherman https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335612526 I will support peer interaction by trying to incorporate some reward choices geared toward social interactions instead of strictly individual with my student. I will also encourage my student to ask a peer for help instead of me helping my student right away. This will encourage interdependence. When my student plays alone, I will encourage my student to join others, as well as ask other classmates to invite him. I will also promote students to try to work out problems that arise amongst themselves rather than immediately come to me to solve the problem.

]]> 2019-02-26 19:53:35 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335612526 Carol Goodhartz I encourage and promote peer interaction in our room. Oftentimes students may not have the confidence to go it alone. We must help them see that, with support, it will be possible. We should encourage our student to join in activities that will help him/her feel that they are a part of the class. I like the idea of peer supports. This strategy works well with the regular ed student as well as the student we support. Asking our student to choose another student to join in a reward time helps the regular ed student reduce in her/his mind the "stigma." https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335613292 2019-02-26 19:54:48 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335613292 Christina Caruso https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335613495 I will encourage peer interactions in the classroom by facilitating discussion between students who are displaying negative feelings toward each other. During Play I will encourage my students to interact with peers that are shy or standing along. If a student is having trouble initiating play I would encourage that student to talk to his or her peers to discover common interests or perhaps a game they could play together. ]]> 2019-02-26 19:55:10 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335613495 Louise Terlato https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335613682 I would support peer interaction in the classroom by encouraging students to work independently with their peers, particularly when working in groups. Rather than depending upon adults for help, I would like to see students asking their peers for direction and advice. In my classroom, I foster the concept of conflict resolution between students, rather than allowing students to come to the teacher for every dispute or disagreement.  This allows children to develop social skills and take greater responsibility.  Highlighting similarities between peers can give them an opportunity to find a common ground and share each others strengths. It also builds respect, friendships and self-esteem.]]> 2019-02-26 19:55:29 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335613682 Fran Blazejewski I will support peer interaction by encouraging my students to share with each other and resolve small conflicts that arise in the classroom independent of the teacher or teacher assistant. Working in a regular ed. kindergarten classroom I am not a one on one support. I will also encourage students to ask for assistance from students at their table before asking for teacher or teacher assistant help. https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335615179 2019-02-26 19:58:00 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335615179 Cathy Perrotta https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335615453 As a teacher assistant in the kindergarten classroom, I support peer interaction on a daily basis. The children are always encouraged to speak to their peers to solve problems and navigate through lessons being taught by asking peers for support. By relying on each other, the children learn a sense of independence and grow both academically and socially.]]> 2019-02-26 19:58:32 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335615453 Laura Brophy lbrophy2 https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335618389 As a teacher assistant in an inclusion classroom I will encourage students to learn to work with students of all abilities respectfully. Students learn from one another and sometimes will be more willing to listen and learn if a peer explains something to them. These interdependent relationships between students will foster friendships, build self esteem, and promote mutual respect. By systematically fading direct support, the teacher assistant is preparing the student to be independent and learn to look to peers for support when needed.]]> 2019-02-26 20:04:12 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335618389 Rita Annese As a teacher assistant it is important to make a student independent in his social or educational goal. When a child is socially not included it is our job to make opportunities for an interaction to occur. We can try to give students responsibilities to grow in positive ways. We must not enable a student but give him opportunities and rewards. lbrophy2 https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335623078 A]]> 2019-02-26 20:13:32 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335623078 Christina Caruso mcasale3 https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335628457 I will encourage peer interactions in the classroom by facilitating discussion between students who are displaying negative feelings toward each other. During Play I will encourage my students to interact with peers that are shy or standing along. If a student is having trouble initiating play I would encourage that student to talk to his or her peers to discover common interests or perhaps a game they could play together. ]]> 2019-02-26 20:25:04 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335628457 Marisa Casale mcasale3 https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335629007 I would encourage the students in my class to include my student.  I will try to get him/her included in a social environment that he feels comfortable in and make sure he becomes included as I step back so he feels more independent.  I would like to have the students as my student the questions instead of asking me. I would also like to try to find students in the class that share similar interests and try to get them to include my student. ]]> 2019-02-26 20:26:17 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335629007 Andrea Clemenko https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335629389 I will support peer interactions by focusing on interdependence rather than independence. I have to stop telling myself that they need to be completely independent from me and realize that we all need support from peers and others and that that is a good thing! These kids need to be resourceful in trying to do what they can on their own, but then asking for help and support from peers when needed. ]]> 2019-02-26 20:27:05 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335629389 Kathy Ernst One way I support peer interactions and interdependence is by encouraging students to interact with one another in and out of the classroom. Children in general love helping others whether on a class project, group instruction, in the lunchroom or during related arts. I feel that it is important to guide children with disabilities to be more independent and feel comfortable socializing with mainstream students. In turn this builds self confidence. https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335702625 2019-02-27 00:58:14 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335702625 Caroline Cestero https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335727161 I will support peer interactions by encouraging students to help one another and to ask for help from one another.  This is how they grow and learn best.  I will encourage them to be kind, specific and helpful in their feedback to one another, to read with one another, to share with and care about one another and to understand that every one of them has lessons to learn from and lessons to share with one another.  I can help promote peer interaction and conversations with those who have trouble initiating them on their own and then I will back away as they begin to blossom on their own.  

]]> 2019-02-27 02:56:24 UTC https://padlet.com/rklim/aibhykfc4nu5/wish/335727161