Struggling Student 👤
signs of struggles
Underlying behaviour does not match ability eg displays excessive aggression, indifference, acts inappropriately to gain attention; socially inept; lacks confidence and self-esteem.
Differentiation strategies
low working memory
Language difficulties
Written expression
Reading difficulties
Verbal or auditory difficulties
low processing speed
low cognitive ability
Autism (undiagnosed)
Huge gaps in understanding - not at same level as peers
Provide choice and flexibility in how students learn and how they provide evidence of understanding
Expect quality and not quantity from a struggling student
Provide Exemplars and model answers
ALL students benefit from differentiation and this is especially important for struggling students to see that everyone has a choice and that he/she/they are not isolated and seen as being different.
Allow breaks after 20-25 minutes; students need to move to get blood flowing especially students with problems with attention, working memory and processing skills.
Scaffolding
Baseline = what everyone needs to know
Level 2 = beyond average that is needed for application type Q
Exceeding Level: it is surprising how some students will want to try this level
Co teaching
adaptive technologies
If the differentiation does not work, discuss with parents, Inclusion services the struggles faced by the student.
Student Success Team is formed which includes all the teachers of the students
The parents are informed of the findings and the recommendations by the case manager who will work closely with all the parties
IEP is formed
Meena Thomas