Monday, December 7, 2009
LD Simulations from PBS site
The LD simulations on the PBS site were a good reminder to me of how complicated the human mind can be. Every student that I work with learns differently and the challenge that I face as their teacher is to attempt to understand how each child learns so I can have the best chance of actually teaching them something that they will retain. I became VERY frustrated during the simulations. I didn't feel that I had a fighting chance, so I just started to click the "close" button on each one without even attempting it. Wow! Now I know why some of my students just "check out" and give up without even trying. I don't blame them! As I went through each academic area and experienced the simulations, I could think of a student or students that I am currently working with that are probably experiencing difficulties in that area. I began to think of teaching strategies that would assist that student...strategies that I don't normally use or don't always think of while teaching. I need to periodically visit this site to remind myself of what these kids go through in a normal day. Hopefully the empathy that will stimulate will also push me to challenge myself to strive to reach them where they are at the time. Little things like dimming the lights, eliminating background noise from computers, fans, etc., or providing a slanted writing surface could be the ticket to a successful day for a child. This will require extra effort on my part, which is why this it is so challenging to meet the needs of every child. With twenty-five kids in a room, how does a teacher meet all of their needs? Try one approach at a time and just be relentless in your quest to reach them all.
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HOW DOES A TEACHER REACH THEM ALL!?!?!? I think this is a question that we will be trying to figure out throughout our years of teaching. WE're not going to have all the answers because we aren't going to have the same group of students teach year. BUT we can find different ways and methods that works.
ReplyDeleteI too was very frustrated with the simulations but I was glad that we did them because it really helped to open my eyes to see just how frustrated my students can be. Poor things! I now understand why my one student threw chalk at me the one day because he was angry he couldn't read the words on the page...they were getting harder because I was pushing him. I think that we have to take into consideration all the frustrations of our students and just let them know that we are there for them and build a strong rapport so that we can climb the mountain of success!!!
Brian I really enjoyed reading your responses. I too felt the same frustration from the simulations and at times clicked close as well and gave up. Wow! It really does give you a better understanding of why our students check out and give up. I TSSed for a little boy that was 6 years old with ADHD and depressive disorder. When he would have a writing assignment he would get so frustrating on focusing on the prompt that he would yell at me and throw his head on the table giving up. This was before I started my studies as a teacher...so my approach was more behavioral because of my psychology background. Now when I see a student struggling I will think of these simulations and go back to them time and time again as you will to remind myself of how frustrating it feels to help me in helping them.
ReplyDeleteI also really liked the point you made on trying to reach them all. It is our job as teachers to differentiate lessons in order to help aid our students in learning, but at the same time it is exhausting after a lot of unsuccessful attempts. As teachers we put a lot of work into helping every child and sometimes the interventions we try will just not work. How do we reach every child...without killing ourselves in the process as well?!? Try time and time again without giving up...much like we handle other things in life : ) And also to keep a positive outlook that one day that intervention that fits will come to us.