Flexibility With Exceptional Learners

I have never realized how wide the learning continuum is. When I think back to my elementary days, I don't recall there being so many differences in learning abilities among the students. However, as I have been observing a fourth grade class, I am beginning to notice how difficult it must be to cater to the needs of each student. Each child learns at a different rate. Furthermore, some children have severe learning disabilities which impact their ability to keep up with the class. Although it is important to focus on these students, it is also crucial that the rest of the class is receiving that education that they need. One student should not hold back the rest of the class.

Modifications Made in the Classroom:

This week I paid attention to some of the modifications made by the teacher and school in order to help each student be successful. The first and most obvious modification I noticed was the classroom aid. Each class has an aid that is paid to assist the teacher meet the needs of each student. This aid often helps students who are struggling or that feel they are falling behind. This aid can also be helpful when it comes to children with behavioral issues. I noticed that the aid in my classroom often helped a child with behavioral issues who seeks constant attention from the rest of the class. In addition to having an aid, the teacher allowed students who were struggling to work with partners as well as receive extra help during recess. These modifications helped all of the children to be successful in the classroom. I plan to make similar accommodations in my future classroom.