Assign a buddy or partner

Why should I do it:

Helps teachers with time management
Provides modeling behaviors for other students
Increases student buy-in
Increases student responsibility and accountability
Helps students to focus and stay on task
Decreases challenges to authority
Lowers stress, intimidation, and anxiety levels for students
Helps students get answers and clarification to directions quickly and more frequently
Provides good opportunities for socialization and interactions
Helps students build rapport with others
 

When should I do it:

When a student is easily distracted and is frequently losing focus
When a student needs a little extra help or guidance with tasks
When a student has trouble with organization, getting things out, putting things away, etc.
When a student is overly shy, timid, or non-responsive to adults and teachers
When a student has trouble working independently
When a student is being picked on
When a student seems withdrawn or isolated
When a student is new
 

How do I do it:

Chose a buddy or partner that will serve as a good role model
Talk in private with the student that will serve as the role model about what you would like them to do and why you are partnering them up
Talk in private with the student who needs the partner or buddy, explaining that they will be partnered up with another student and why
Speak with the two students together and explain the purpose of putting them together and what your expectations are
You may use more than one buddy or partner