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Students with special needs (Ideal school directive (Inclusive: In the…
Students with special needs
How to identify?
Throughout my interviews, reading other cohorts interview and my research, it is clear that I should, as a teacher, look for the signs of special needs. It is then up to me to communicate with all the other teachers and counselors in the school. However, idetifying the problem is the job of a specialist in the given area.
What are the signs?
This is a difficult question as the signs are different for every type of special need. However, there are signs that I hope to notice as a teacher
Academic
Low grades
: Is the student performing worse than their peers in one or more areas of school work. This could be a sign of a cognitive disability
Difficulty following Instructions
: Is the student able not able to follow instructions properly
Communicating ideas
: Does the student have difficulty clearly communicating ideas in class
Reading
: Does the student have trouble reading which could be linked to learning disabilities, such as dyslexia
Behaviour
Distracted
: Does the student have trouble paying attention in class
Misbehaving
: Does the student act in an inappropriate way in class
Motivation
: Does the student seem to be unmotivated in class
Attendance
: Does the student miss a lot of lessons
Angry/Aggressive
: Does the student seem angry or aggressive towards the teacher or any other students
Differentiated Instructions
There are so many options available to teachers these days. Often a mixture or strategies are needed depending on the individuals needs.
Exit slips: This simple strategy allows a teacher to know where students are struggling in class.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWUxFSXEsC8
Collaboration: It is useful for students to work together and learn from each other
Scaffolding: This helps students who may need a little extra instruction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gNjGD_W3dM
Tutoring: Offering extra time with students outside of class could help them to improve immensely
Change seating: Students may need to move seats if their is something or someone affecting them where they sit.
Make content relevant: A big reason student don't want to learn is because they see the relevance of learning. By making the content relevant to their lives they are more likely to learn
Videos: Many students find it more interesting to watch videos. Anything to help engage the students in the lesson is a good strategy.
Study plan: Students should create a study plan to make them more responsible for their studies
Time: I could provide struggling students extra time to complete tasks
Distractions: Try to remove anything that could distract students that are easily side-tracked.
Different assessment: Students should be assessed in various ways
Involving parents
This is very important, to make sure there is clear communication between everybody.
How?
I think the most direct form of communication is important. However, from my interviews, I was informed of having evidence of communication, just in case anything happens. Therefore, I think a face to face meeting that is recorded for everybody involved is important
When?
Parents should be notified once a student is seen to be under-performing. There could be a underlying reason that has affected the students performance temporarily.
Ideal school directive
Inclusive
: In the future, I hope to work for a school that is inclusive of all students.
Meetings
I hope that there will be staff meetings every week or at least every second week, to discuss any students with difficulties and any strategies that could be used.
Help
: I hope that whatever school I work for will provide counselors and special education teachers to support all teachers and students.
Making referrals
When?
Obviously, as a teacher I should try everything I can to help the student, including discussing the student with other teachers. However, if nothing seems to be helping the student, then a referral may be necessary. It should be a last resort.
Making the child aware of disabilities
When and how?
This is very much depends on the situation. However, if grades are not improving then I will contact my schools guidance counsellor or special education teacher for this task.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66g6TbJbs2g
