Today one of my third graders told me that she liked my outfit. Ah, compliments from the kiddos! Here is a pic of the admired by an eight-year-old ensemble:
I am getting my hair done on Saturday and I think I want to grow it longer.
The past several times I have gotten it cut short and I am not sure I want to do that again.
post 1st German haircut
Long or short? Thoughts?
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Today in Algebra class, the teacher was having the students graph functions one at a time. The students are seated in a U formation and he was going around the room letting each student have a turn to solve/graph an equation up at the board. He said that as he continued, the functions were going to continue getting harder. My friend was going to be the very last one to go, so I asked the teacher if he could provide us with his function ahead of time, so he could work it out and be ready. I sense that my buddy was a little anxious about going up to the board to write his answer, so I didn't want him to feel pressured to get his answer quickly. The teacher gave me two functions and I asked my friend to pick which one he wanted to graph. He chose and worked it out with my help.
When everyone else had gone and my friend was the only student left, the teacher switched gears and introduced something new. Whoa there! I whispered to my friend, asking him if he wanted a turn or if he didn't care that he got skipped. He wanted a turn, dammit! So I nicely addressed the teacher and asked him if my friend could have his turn. I will admit, I had an inner wtf moment! Why is it that every other kid in the class got a turn to go up to the board and solve their own problem, yet this student didn't? I specifically asked him for the problem ahead of time so that my friend would have enough time to work it out and we could go over how to do it and he could ask me questions. I didn't want him to feel on the spot in front of the other kids, but I still wanted to give him the chance to take a turn just like everybody else. I am curious what the teacher was thinking...Did he think that the student couldn't do it? Did he think that since he did it "with me" that the answer shouldn't count? Did he think my friend was too shy to go up to the board? Well, let me tell you friends....this kiddo was proud of what he did and wanted to have a turn just like everyone else. Did he need a little help to get the answer. Yup. Did most of the other kids in class also need help in solving their equations? yesiree Bob.
Some students learn more slowly than others, some need help, and some are entirely independent and barely even need a teacher in the room, but every student deserves their moment in the spotlight.
Every student.
Even if this particular kiddo gets his own personal teacher during the lessons to help him through, he is still part of the group. He still wants to feel like he is a member of the class and considering he was doing remarkably well with this lesson, I felt especially perturbed that he was almost robbed of his chance to show that off.
What do you do to include students with special needs?
7 comments:
Of course I include students with special needs. You should check out a blog, http://lovethatmax.blogspot.com/ since I know you love reading blogs (though as if you need another one to follow, ha!). She's a super witty writer and talks about her son with CP. I've become a big fan. She also writes for magazines, too. So... she's got talent.
On the hair note, I actually like a shorter hairdo on you... but maybe it's just because I'm jealous that you have short hair! My husband likes mine long, so I leave it that way. Plus, I am a ponytail girl.
Also... just watched the Bachelor. Totally sad. I definitely cried when he rejected Tenley. Don't you love her though! "Goodbye St. Lucia sun." Cute.
love the hair short!
special needs can be hard...especially for teachers who don't have a background in it. but, they should still be expected to help in any way that they can.
Since many kids are undiagnosed but still special needs in K, I always include them in everything but I'll give them a slightly easier problem to show on the board or make sure I help them before they have to show it. Kids in K usually do not think they "can't" do it and I make it my personal goal to make sure they dont' feel that way unless there is nothing I can do about it. I certainly don't want them to feel like I think they can't do it!
It's also easier for me because my kids usually don't notice if I give someone an easier or harder word, problem etc.
I'm glad he had his turn...did you say something to the teacher afterwards like WTF...or is it pointless. I like my hair short when I lived in the states but keep it longer here because of the humidity it's curlier and frizzy, so long is better. I think they both look good on you!
I like both hairstyles... but the short one is my favorite! :)
I often have students turn and work with a partner that way everyone gets included and they don't feel pressured to have a right answer in front of everyone.
Short. I'm contemplating the same thing right now though. I forgot you had this blog...so fun to read even though I'm not a teacher. YOu're a great one, I can tell.
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