Learning from ALL Students

Learning from ALL Students

tomlinso 02 Jul 2007 19:02

First and foremost, which children are the same in our classrooms? What I've noticed is that all children in the classroom are extremely different. Sure, with some students I can do a visual, lecture, kinesthetic lesson and they'll understand no matter what. But in no way are those students the same as each other. I see every students as being different in the classroom and therefore providing a wealth of knowledge for an observant teacher. Some students are motivated when the lesson is about cars, or Paris Hilton, or civil rights. Some students are more tuned-in when the lesson is visual, involves group work, or is an individual project. I think we have to be careful in singling out a particularly "different" student.

That said, there is much to learn from the differences in our students. The best thing that can come from paying attention to student differences is improving overall instruction. I once taught a group of 30 students, half who were deaf and half who could hear perfectly. I had to slow down what I was saying so that the interpreter could pass on information to the deaf students. I learned patience and pacing from this lesson. When I was forced to slow down and think about what I wanted to say, my words became more informed and well thought out. Also, I had to really concentrate on using inclusive language. Some phrases could be very offensive to deaf students or deaf culture. At the same time, some deaf students did not want their "deafness" to be mentioned at all, out of desire to feel "normal". While all this was taking place, I had to remember to pay equal amounts of attention to my well-hearing students. I could not focus all my instruction and intentions on the deaf students, because they were only half the class. On top of all this, I also had to create opportunities for the two different cultures to learn from each other and see similarities/differences in a healthy way.

Every classroom has students who share similarities on some things, but drastic differences on others. As an observant teacher, we have the opportunity to learn a great deal from this knowledge. We learn how to create a classroom that honors, celebrates, and addresses multiple intelligences. We learn to create a classroom where everyone feels respected, included, and appreciated. And finally, we are presented with the opportunity to build peace and solidarity across cultures and differences, as observant, thoughtful teachers.

Re: Learning from ALL Students

EmilyEYoung 28 Jul 2007 04:36

So eloquently said, Jeff, I loved reading about your appreciation for all your students! I also liked how you resisted the way people spotlight our special education students by calling them "different," and brought up that ALL of our students are such unique individuals who bring so much into our classrooms.

To continue with Jeff's thoughts, being an observant teacher and "building peace and solidarity across cultures and differences" expands outward from the classroom. I'm optimistic that messages we learn about acceptance and advocacy from teaching diverse groups of students (wherever and whoever we teach) will reach into other areas of our lives, as students, employees, or in our personal lives. The novels assigned to this course about shorted development, learning disabilities, psychological disorders and other disabilities all describe the disabling aspects of individuals' lives, learning and otherwise. They all tell the story of people who are living with something that is not a thing they asked for or wanted but need special support with in order to be successful by the standards of which society asks of us. Adopting this lesson into our teaching and our lives outside of the classroom is one way to move towards the more socially just world that we desire for all of our students. For example, hearing other college students around me in my summer classes in Florida laugh at another student and call him "retarded" makes me speak up. Listening and working in lab and study groups and being attentive to everyone's different learning styles and making accommodations so that all participants can understand what we are doing is something I have become more attuned to since reading the course's material. Overall, I think my own sensitivity towards differences between all individuals has increased in the last two years, and learning about the disabilities that need to be overcome with special instruction has been the final tipping point to solidify this sensitivity and commitment to differentiated, respectful instruction.

Re: Learning from ALL Students

danny1820 29 Jul 2007 04:14

What are the oppertunities we have when we have children who are different in our classroom?

Personally, I think we, the teacher, have many oppertnities. But specifically we have the oppertunitiy to be creative, to see a challenge and meet it head on. All children are different, there isn't two children in this whole world who are exactly alike. And you know what, that is great because that allows the teacher realize that not everyone learns the same way. However, there are certain hurtles a teacher must overcome in order to teach each student to his or her needs. Teachers aren't always given the oppertunity, or freedom, to conduct their classroom as an acutal classroom. I feel like not the classrooms in many public schools have become sort of jails for students. They are being taught to a test, and the test I am refering to is NCLB. There is no room for the teacher to be creative, and there is no room for error. If teachers have students that don't pass, more and more pressure is put on to the teacher to get his or her studens to pass. Therefore the teacher must ignore the differences in his/her student and simply teach to the test. Its anawful way to look at education, but that is what it has turned into. Where I work now, we are very fortunate to not teach to the test and the individual student is recognized. Everyone at the shcool focuses day in and day out on how to help very different students achieve their best in an environment that minimizes the stress of finding school hard. I am lucky enough to work at a private school in Washington DC, that specializes in helping students with learning disabilities. So when I read the question above, I think of it in two ways, a positive way and a negative way. From my hands on experience I can say that there are many oppertunities to having different students in our classroom, but on the other hand what I have read and heard the individual student has been ignored in the public scool system. I think the big thing to realize in the question above is that, "children who are different", is a very powerful statement. What makes one child different from another child? How about their individualized way of learning, their personality, their views and opinions? which should all be respected and recognized. Just because a students has a learning disability, doesn't mean he or she should be looked at in a particular way. One should just realize that he or she might have to work a little bit harder in a certain subject, or that he or she might learn in a different way. The traditional classroom atmosphere is not for every child. In conclusion, I think once more people begin to realize that all chilren are different and learn differently from one another, the more people will realize the many oppertunities we have in regards to the classroom setting.

Re: Learning from ALL Students

Lauren12 31 Jul 2007 00:20

I have to say that it made me really happy when I read the previous three responses. I'm an undergraduate student majoring in special education, and I frequently get the "What are you going to do with your life?" question, to which I answer, "Teach special needs students." I cannot tell you how many times the response I get is riddled with surprise: "Good luck with that!" they say sarcastically, or "Oh, special NEEDS kids. You must like a challenge." In addition, in the internships I have done so far, and in schools that I have worked in during summers, I am always surprised at how many experienced teachers express exasperation and dislike over having to teach or work with special education students. Just like the title of this forum, they come into the work room and tell each other, hilariously, "I have this kid who can't even understand two sentences in a row!"

I am by no means saying that every teacher I have met holds these feelings, but it has definitely concerned me, especially since I am hoping to go into this field. So, as I said, it encouraged me to read the previous posters' feelings that ALL students are different, and that this is a good thing. So what opportunities can we gain from these particular students who learn even more differently than their peers? I'd like to ask instead, what CAN'T we gain from them? In my limited experience working or interning in SpEd classrooms, I have already learned that the best way to greet someone in the morning is to give them a big hug (which I have been taught by my little friends with Down Syndrome), that the more frequent high fives are given the more fun every one has (which I have learned from my friends in wheel chairs), that the best way to brighten someone's day is to simply give their hand a squeeze, and that learning isn't a chore—it's a game.

As corny as it might sound, students with learning differences are the ones that are able to instruct teachers about the most important things in life. In addition, as mentioned by previous posters, teachers have the opportunity to learn how to pace themselves, to increase their patience, and to accept the fact that everyone is different (so why not go with the flow and use as many different teaching styles and strategies as physically and mentally possible?). Let's be serious: as a SpEd major, I tend to get bored when I am placed in a "normal" classroom with "average" learners. I much more enjoy a classroom that includes a few students who march to their own drums and take things a little slower. It also gives the teacher the opportunity to learn more about whatever "disability" they face in their students. Also, having students who are especially "different" in a classroom also affects the "normal" students: many exceptional students radiate a love of learning that their other peers sometimes take for granted.

Re: Learning from ALL Students

(account deleted) 01 Aug 2007 20:04

I love where Lauren went with that last idea that students with learning differences are also the best to instruct their teachers. I have found that very often a child knows exactly what they need to be successful, they are just waiting for you to ask! Similarly I feel as though we are missing a big advantage of having students with exceptionalities in our classrooms. We have spoken a lot about how each child is different and we have spoken about wonderful that is but I feel as though we are missing a big part of the advantage of having children that are all different, we get to use those differences! Use the opportunity that you may have a child who excels in language but is low performing in math, group your students, match them up and in this way give them the power to work with other students so that every child understands the power that comes from being different. Emily spoke about social justice and building peace. Let your students learn from those that have learning disabilities what it really means to be disabled, don't just tell explain it to them. Let them play with kids that have physical disabilities. It is this separation, this distinction that gives rise to the phrase "he's special", when differences are not seen as a division between two students they will become a bond.

Re: Learning from ALL Students

LuisTorres 31 Jul 2007 15:38

Jeff's post really got me thinking about the way in which we socialize our students to become other(ed) participants in our classrooms. I was reminded of a book I read in college about the differences between being deaf with a lower case d and being Deaf with a capital D. Being deaf with a lower case d implies that someone has a disability. Being Deaf with a capital D implies being a part of a social grouping that identifies on the basis of a particular trait or skill. In other words, society makes deaf students disabled by defining them in the state of inadequacy, the state of lacking something, a deficiency approach to teaching. Some sociologists and linguists argue that in fact, Deaf people are not disabled but communicate with another form of language. People then who are not able to sign are the ones that are disabled because they can't understand deaf people.

The idea then is that defining what is a disability and what is not all depends on who is in power and who holds the tools of instruction. As teachers we need to understand that students come with different skills and we must affirm our students to use these skills to perform to the best of their abilities.

Re: Learning from ALL Students

EWhitworth 01 Aug 2007 18:00

The diversity within our classrooms and among our students - from their different learning styles, to their different preferences are things that we as teachers, need to really build on. I have learned a lot from this class, the articles, books, forums, and so on but the one thing that keeps resonating is the fact that you have to work with your students by creating goals with one another - that are reasonable and feasible within their academic and developmental stage/skills. On top of that, you should also be creative to increase their motivation, enthusiasm, and really help them to take control of their own learning by creating goals within their interests, likes, hobbies, culture, home life, friends, talents, and so on. It is so important to get to know your students, take the time to know them, individually at the very beginning of the year. Pass out a "Getting to Know You" type survey and remember that - when you come across a great book about snakes - and you know that Jaylen loves snakes - bring the book in for him - kids really appreciate that someone has taken the time to get to know them and remember things about them. In turn, you become a relationship driven teacher, and I think one that will be a successful teacher, that teaches students who feel and are successful.

Re: Learning from ALL Students

andyspann 01 Aug 2007 18:14

I have really enjoyed reading the previous posts. Because of this class and the discussion forums, I have really learned to appreciate different learning styles. I am not a teacher yet but I look forward to being one. With all of the books that we had to read for this class, I liked and appreciated the fact that all of their expectionalities were different and their experiences with them were unique,individualized. Even Leah Cohen's book Train go Sorry, she mentioned several people who were deaf but they all had different experiences with being deaf. As I have mentioned in other post, I am learning disabled and I struggled horribly through elementary school. I loathed going to school during those years. I remember when I was younger one of my realitives who is or I should say was a FBI agent came over and had a couple of younger realitives, including myself, stick are thumbs on a piece of paper that was covered with lead from a pencil. Then he had us to put our lead filled thumbs on a clean piece of paper which of course created a print. He explained to us that no two people have the same print. Everybody has their own unique print. Of course being kids we were so fascinated and compared each others print and we all noticed how everybody's print was different. I remember feeling special. Because of this course, I do think about what if my teachers would have made me feel special like the print instead of different and unacceptable? I think it is so important for teachers to honor peoples differences and let children know that the world would be a boring place if we all were the same. I agree with the previous posts that the opportunities we have are endless because of the differences. We have the opportunity to grow as professionals and it should be viewed in that light.

Re: Learning from ALL Students

Liz Mickduff 02 Aug 2007 23:55

I think when discussing how to incorporate different students in our classes, its important to figure out what will work for the student and just go with it. You can find accommodations for all students whether they are classified or not. Some students need more time, some students need to talk, some students need to use a computer for handwriting or spell check, and the point is that’s OK.

For example if you have a student that is struggling with fractions, let them use a calculator to speed up the process of solving. Sometimes it makes such a big difference because the student understands the concepts, but just can't for the life of them remember the multiplication tables. Or like in my situation teaching ESL mathematics to middle school students, some of whom have never been to school before, you cant remediate 7 years of schooling while teaching 7th grade standards to the rest of the class, so something simple like a calculator can keep the student up to speed and able to perform much closer to grade level when they would otherwise just be sitting there, copying at best.

I get so tired of hearing the argument, “Nobody taught this child his times tables!” Yes they probably have for years, so put down the flash cards, bust out the math manipulatives or if you don’t have the time, let them use a calculator to solve or at least use a multiplication table. You can’t punish a student into learning. Most importantly, our students need to feel good about themselves in relation to school, not that they can’t do it.