Through many years of teaching from different schools in our District, I have observed that every pupil has a different needs and difficulties that must given full and special attention so that he will be more productive and become pride of the nation. Such difficulties have certain solution and teaching strategies to counteract as what Kathleen Bulloch, a speech and language pathologist has stated:
If the student has difficulty learning by listening, then try…
Before the lesson:
Pre-teach difficult vocabulary and concepts
Teach the mental activities involve in listening- mental note taking, questioning, reviewing
Provide study guides/worksheet
Provide lecture outlines
During the Lesson:
Provide visuals via the board
Use flash cards
Have the students close his eyes and try to visualize the information
Have the student take notes and use colored markers to highlight
Teach the use of acronyms to help visualize lists
Give explanation in small, distinct steps
Provide written as well as oral directions
Have the student repeat directions
When giving directions to the class, leave a pause between each step so student can carry out the process in his mind
Shorten the listening time required
Provide written and manipulative tasks
Be concise with verbal information
If the student has difficulty expressing himself verbally, then try…
To accept an alternate form of information sharing, such as the following:
Written report ,chart, graph or table, charade of pantomime, artistic creation or map
Ask questions requiring short answers
Provide a prompt, such as beginning the sentence for the student or giving a picture cue
Give the rules for class discussion (e. hand raising)
Give points for oral contributions
Teach the student to ask questions in class
Specifically teach body and language expression
Wait for students to respond- don’t call on the first student to raise his hand
First ask questions at the information level-giving facts and asking for facts back, then have the student break in gradually by speaking in smaller groups and then in larger groups
If the student has difficulty reading written material, then try…
Provide highlighted material
Allow a peer or parent to read text aloud to student
Shorten the amount of required reading
Provide alternative method for student to contribute to the group, such as role playing or dramatizing (oral reading should be optional)
Motivate the student and allow extra time for reading
Provide questions before student reads a selection (include page and paragraph numbers)
Type material for easier reading, use larger type
Be more concrete using pictures and manipulative
Reduce the amount of new ideas
Provide experience before and after reading as a frame of reference for new concepts
Help the student visualize what is read
If the student has difficulty writing legibly, then try…
Use a format requiring little writing
Multiple-choice, true or false and matching
Use manipulative such as writing letters on small ceramic tiles
Reduce or omit assignments requiring copying
Allow the use of typewriter or computer
Teach writing directly
Trace letters or writing in clay
Verbalize strokes on tape recorder
Use a marker to space between words
Taped the alphabet to student’s desk
Use graph paper to help space letters and numbers in math
If the student has difficulty spelling, then try…
Dictate the work and then asking the student to repeat
Avoid traditional spelling lists (determine lists from social needs and school area needs)
Teach short, easy words in context
Have students make flashcards and highlight the difficult spots on the word
Give a recognition level spelling test (asking the student to circle correct word from three or four choices)
Teach words by spelling patterns (teach “cake”, “bake”, “take”, etc. in one lesson)
Use the language master for drill
Avoid penalizing for spelling errors
Post words on the board or wall as constant visual cues
Teachers are truthfully the nation builders- the strength of every profession in the country grows out of the knowledge and skills that teachers help to instill in every children. Teaching has never been easy. It takes heart, commitment and passion to shape the future prospects of the children. And thank God teachers have it all.
By: Angelica R. Magno | T-III | Luakan Elementary School
