Special Activities for Special Teachers
There is bound to be at least one student in your classroom who may need just a little extra help when it comes to learning. This student(s) very well may have a learning disability. This page is to assist you in the types of learning disabilities, different activities you can facilitate in your classroom while including both regular learners and special learners, as well as resources you can access to incorporate games, activities and lessons that apply to every student in your classroom.
Definition of Learning Disabilities (LD) |
Types of Learning Disabilities |
"What is and isn’t a learning disability (LD)? LD is more than a “difference” or “difficulty” with learning—it’s a neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to receive, process, store and respond to information. LD will vary in how it impacts each individual child, adolescent and adult. Understanding the basic facts will enable you to help yourself, your child, or someone you know to be a well-informed and effective advocate."
See ncld.org for more detailed information! (National Center for Learning Disabilities) |
Remember, students with varieties of learning disabilities are considered to be in a different category than students who have varieties of learning styles.
Dyslexia-
Dyscalculia- Dyscalculia is a brain-based condition that makes it hard to make sense of numbers and math concepts. Some kids with dyscalculia can’t grasp basic number concepts. They work hard to learn and memorize basic number facts. They may know what to do in math class but don’t understand why they’re doing it. In other words, they miss the logic behind it. Dysgraphia- Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing, which requires a complex set of motor and information processing skills. Dysgraphia makes the act of writing difficult. It can lead to problems with spelling, poor handwriting and putting thoughts on paper. People with dysgraphia can have trouble organizing letters, numbers and words on a line or page. Dyspraxia- Dyspraxia is a disorder that affects motor skill development. People with dyspraxia have trouble planning and completing fine motor tasks. This can vary from simple motor tasks such as waving goodbye to more complex tasks like brushing teeth. Executive Functioning- Many people with LD struggle with executive function, which can make activities like planning, organizing, strategizing, remembering details and managing time and space difficult. Problems with executive function—a set of mental processes that helps connect past experience with present action—can be seen at any age and often contribute to the challenges individuals with LD face in academic learning. Executive function is a set of mental processes that helps connect past experience with present action. People use it to perform activities such as planning, organizing, strategizing, paying attention to and remembering details, and managing time and space. ADHD and Other Related Issues- |
Basically, how the students learn will vary. It is your job to make sure you meet the student's needs in the most effective and positive way you can through your attitude, encouragement, and of course, instruction.
Resources for YOU
Below are pictures (and links attached to the pictures) that will direct you to the different types of games and strategies you can use for the variety of learning disabilities. There are great resources out there; use them!
Lessons, games, and much more!
I have collaborated, constructed, and created a list of games and activities that will be great to use in your classroom. These can be used for Special Education classes only, regular classes, or combinations of both. How you implement these will be left to your discretion. (do2learn.com)
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.
|
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.
|
How do you set up your classroom? Here's a wonderful example.
Advice:
Clearly label EVERYTHING.
Include pictures as descriptions.
Write clearly.
Provide a variety of visual aids (pictures, drawings, outlines, written explanations, videos).
Create schedules, and post regularly.
Students who have any form of special needs may be easily distracted in a space that contains a multitude of colors, directive and interesting posters, and elaborate displays. Extraneous hall noise, student activity, smells from the lunchroom and/or materials used in classrooms, hums from florescent lighting systems, and noise from heating/air-conditioning systems and electrical or mechanical gadgets can also be distracting.
Tips for Creating a Calming and Predictable Environment
Careful Seating Arrangements Can Lessen Distractions
Clearly label EVERYTHING.
Include pictures as descriptions.
Write clearly.
Provide a variety of visual aids (pictures, drawings, outlines, written explanations, videos).
Create schedules, and post regularly.
Students who have any form of special needs may be easily distracted in a space that contains a multitude of colors, directive and interesting posters, and elaborate displays. Extraneous hall noise, student activity, smells from the lunchroom and/or materials used in classrooms, hums from florescent lighting systems, and noise from heating/air-conditioning systems and electrical or mechanical gadgets can also be distracting.
Tips for Creating a Calming and Predictable Environment
- Simplify room layout by designating specific areas for defined activities. An example of a Pre-K classroom for children in the Wake County School system shows distinct areas for activities such as reading, work, snack and music. Clearly label the areas and storage using color coding or a pictorial system.
- Designate specific areas for quiet work.
- Only post necessary information such as schedules, examples of children's work, classroom expectations, and information that is to be used for instruction.
Careful Seating Arrangements Can Lessen Distractions
- Arrange chairs in a horseshoe array
- Seat away from doorways, windows, and high traffic areas such as the pencil sharpener
- Place easily distracted children and those who require the most assistance near the instructor
- Provide special types of seating arrangement for quiet or calm down areas of the room. Examples are a "thinking time" chair that acts as a quick reminder about the consequences of inappropriate actions, where the child sits away from teacher and peer reinforcement, and "waiting chair" to help diffuse the anxiety of waiting for a turn.
- Feet support can help for short legs that cannot reach the ground.
- Floor lamps and non-fluorescent lightingsystems can eliminate some of the extraneous sounds and glare. Remove fluorescent lights and replace them with string of lights that are above each desk to cut glare. Use as much natural lightening as possible.
- If a child is easily distracted by noise, use headphones that cover the whole ears (not earplugs) to block out sounds. It is particularly important to have children use headphones when working at the computer to avoid distracting other children.
- Keep classroom supplies in a consistent location.
- Regulate the classroom activity flow by having specific activities the student can independently complete when they are finished with their required work and need to quietly continue doing an activity.
- If the room is not easily modified, another solution may be to create a place away from other children within the room with something like a separate carrel or study tent.