Identifying and Helping Struggling Students in the Classroom
Early intervention
A student who is struggling to keep up
Students with diagnosed learning disabilities
Helping a Struggling Learner or a child with an identified learning disability
This is the ideal strategy, to catch learning difficulties before the student falls behind.
This is how schools approach special learning in Finland. See the video on Finland's Formula For School Success
If early intervention has not occurred, then it is important to be aware of students who are struggling to keep up, or starting to fall behind.
Signs of struggling learners include:
Behavior issues, Homework takes the wrong amount of time, Too many sick days, Avoiding talking about school and Social withdrawal.
http://www.doorwaysarizona.com/5-signs-student-struggling/
A student may be in the classroom that has been previously diagnosed with a learning disability and has an IEP.
In this instance, it is important to recommend an evaluation
Follow the 10 Basic Steps in Special Education: Referral is made by teacher or parent; Child is evaluated; IEP meeting is scheduled; IEP meeting is held; Services are provided; Progress is measured and reported to parents; IEP is reviewed; Child is re-evaluated at least every 3 years. A more detailed description of each step can be found at this link: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/steps/
If this is the case, it is important to know the student's disability, what accommodations are needed, and then to provide them in the classroom
Review the IEP on a regular basis with the parents
Monitor the student's progress
Keep up on the re-evaluation of the student (at least every 3 years, called a triennial).
Break the class into small groups by reading, math or interest level
Set up stations for each student to progress at their own pace
provide oral and visual cues for instruction
color code subjects
provide organizational systems for schoolwork
allow the student to keep an extra set of books at home
send home educational games to reinforce learning
allow the use of audiobooks
allow extra time for tests or assignments
provide one-on-one or small group help with a special ed teacher outside the classroom daily or a few times a week
slow down instruction/speak more slowly
provide pre-written notes or lesson outlines
Use differentiated learning strategies. This video is a simple, practical overview of how that can be achieved in the classroom )
Use technology to help the student succeed
Many of the ideas below came from my 2 teacher interviews. Some ideas also came from websites I researched. http://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/teaching-strategies/examples-of-differentiated-instruction/ and: http://ectutoring.com/5-common-accommodations-modifications-dyslexic-students