Thursday, September 23, 2010
GAME Plan Week 3
In dealing with students with special needs, I believe that I will need the assistance of colleagues to help determine what technological tools would be beneficial to students with special needs. I am not familiar with some of the software / programs that were discussed in the resources. I have not utilized, for example, text to speech programs that may be utilized by those students who have difficulty reading. I am interested in these tools. This year, I have a few students who struggle with reading. I have assigned these students to read the Wall Street Journal and summarize a few articles. It seems some of my students are struggling with the daily assignment. I am trying to determine a way to tailor the assignment for these students. I have started discussing my concerns with the intervention specialist, and we are trying to determine a way for the student to complete the assignment. Have many of you come across this in your classes? If so, what suggestions do you have?
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My husband was trained this year in a strategic approach called Reading Apprenticeship. This comprehensive classroom apprpoach is designed to help struggling readers like yours, but also advanced readers. The core concepts work like this: you must first develop a social atmosphere where students feel comfortable sharing. What they ultimately share are their personal strategies, interpretations, thoughts, and metacognitive processes while reading. Essentially, the goal is to have stronger readers influence weaker readers to help train them in strategies that work. This is all facilitated by the teacher, of course.
ReplyDeleteFor example, instead of having your struggling reader browse the Wall Street Journal, have them read something more textually interesting for an adolescent or young adult (like Money Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, or Popular Mechanic... or they could listen to NPR's Marketplace show in the morning at 6:50 or online =). These texts are more accessible. Also, share your personal approach to reading. For instance, my husband (who is an English teacher) found that many students don't visually play a text in their head like a movie. Struggling readers can and should learn from more accomplished readers.
I think the best plan is to gain knowledge from your colleagues and others. The reading apprenticeship that Kristina mentioned sounds like a workable plan. Do you have them summarize in a blog? What about a vocal summarization on a blog using a podcast? Just a thought. I know for a fact that it is tough finding strategies that work because it takes lots of rearranging and retakes. yolette
ReplyDeleteHi Suzie,
ReplyDeleteI've come across a similar problem with my hearing disabled students. Just last week, I started talking with the technology teacher in my new school. She told me about projects she does with her 8th graders making electronic toys and it inspired me. We're now working on making a hand-held device that can be synced to an audio player that pulses at different speeds depending on the intensity of the music playing. Using other teachers as a resource is a HUGE part of being a flexible, creative educator. Best of luck to you and your colleagues!
Kristin,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post. I have been speaking with some of my struggling readers and the intervention specialist as to what might be of interest to them to read; however, I didn't even think of having them listen to a news broadcast and summarizing a news story. Thank you for the idea.
Yolette,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post. I have each of them summarize the article in Microsoft Word. I am trying to incorporate a podcast into my lesson plans; however, I have not been able to accomplish this yet. I have a class blog for most of my classes; however, I have not been utilizing it for this assignment. Thank you for the ideas.
Meghan,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post and encouragement. Your hand held device sounds very interesting. Good luck with the project.