Class Secretary

April 14, 2004

Mellanay Auman, an eighth grade GATE and language arts teacher at Townsend Middle School in Tucson, Arizona

Found In: Works4Me

As a middle school teacher, I am always trying to get students to take leadership positions in class. In order to keep accurate records, I assign a student to be 'secretary' of the week. That student must take down notes in our class notebook, write down homework assignments, record what pages we are reading, and help students who are returning from an absence. This process has really cut down with the “What did I miss?” from returning students. We have a running record of what transpired, what goals we met, where we left off while watching a video, etc. Since I teach five classes of the same subject, looking at the class notebook also helps me see what we've covered in each class.

Students earn extra credit points for being a secretary, and they really look forward to being the 'co-teacher' for a week. New students are easily transitioned into our procedures because they have a weekly buddy to help them catch the flow of the classroom. I have also used the class notebooks as another tool to help wayward students take responsibility for what was really assigned. Since I have used this method, no student has ever said, “You didn't tell us that in this class... maybe you did it in another period?”

COMMENTS:

1 - 5 out of 5 Comments | Add your comment

Susan Nash | 2011/07/21

I teach in an alternative HS where the students' attendance is sporadic at best. I would also like to know more details about the whole process such as time constraints nad extra credit opportunities, etc..

Kim Baker | 2011/07/20

I teach 6th grade in an elementary school and am interested in more details as well aboutwhat the notebook looks like and contains.

MB Liossis | 2011/07/20

I would be interested in some of the answers to JaneP's questions! Sounds worth checking out!

JaneP | 2011/07/20

I am considering trying this in HS. Last year, I discovered that most students did not copy not copy notes,etc fully and accurately! I have so many questions that I will try to contact the author. Is the class notebook a spiral with pockets for handouts? How does secretary get his own copy of the notes for the day? How long is the class period and during which part of class time do you permit returning students to access/copy notes, etc, without getting behind in the current day's work? Thanks!

Joann Benson | 2011/07/20

I think your ideas are especially great for those new kids and for those that are absent a lot- and probably for instrumental students that cycle in and out of classes. I use secretaries for my fifth grade chorus- they take attendance, hand out music, and keep track of who is missing. The kids fight for the job!

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