Students cannot be expected to be at the same stages of academic and cognitive development. For instance, CLD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) learners, gifted learners, and special needs learners all learn at different paces and require different amounts of scaffolding and differentiation. In addition, students come to the classroom with diverse academic experiences and background knowledge pertaining to the various topics/content/skills of study. While some students can learn rapidly and need little assistance to reach mastery, other students learn more slowly and require various amounts of additional assistance to succeed.
To assess students' prior knowledge, teachers can execute a number of effective diagnostic assessment strategies including: entry-tickets, KWL charts, etc.
For special needs learners, teachers can use several alternative instructional/assessment strategies. According to the ProjectIDEAL (2013), key strategies include chucking information into small manageable bites, teaching/assessing one concept at a time, and offering multi-sensory learning experiences. Besides, direct instruction tends to be the most appropriate instructional model for students with special needs (more information on this instructional model shown in the info-graph below). By follow practices, along with other helpful strategies, teachers will be better equipped to help their students with learning disabilities succeed.
For CLD learners with disabilities, teachers can follow the same guidelines as working with other special needs learners. However, additional language assistance will be needed and certain accommodations/modifications might be required to make learning tasks less threatening.
On the other hand, for gifted learners, teachers can provide enrichment activities that can give students the opportunity to dive deeper into whatever is being studied. A great reference for teachers to consider when planning enrichment learning tasks is the ALP (Advanced Learning Plan). This document helps guide teachers to create an effective educational plan for gifted learners.
To assess students' prior knowledge, teachers can execute a number of effective diagnostic assessment strategies including: entry-tickets, KWL charts, etc.
For special needs learners, teachers can use several alternative instructional/assessment strategies. According to the ProjectIDEAL (2013), key strategies include chucking information into small manageable bites, teaching/assessing one concept at a time, and offering multi-sensory learning experiences. Besides, direct instruction tends to be the most appropriate instructional model for students with special needs (more information on this instructional model shown in the info-graph below). By follow practices, along with other helpful strategies, teachers will be better equipped to help their students with learning disabilities succeed.
For CLD learners with disabilities, teachers can follow the same guidelines as working with other special needs learners. However, additional language assistance will be needed and certain accommodations/modifications might be required to make learning tasks less threatening.
On the other hand, for gifted learners, teachers can provide enrichment activities that can give students the opportunity to dive deeper into whatever is being studied. A great reference for teachers to consider when planning enrichment learning tasks is the ALP (Advanced Learning Plan). This document helps guide teachers to create an effective educational plan for gifted learners.
References:
LEAP Innovations. (2019). LEAP learning framework. Retrieved from
http://leaplearningframework.org/#framework-download-form
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. (2012) Direct Instruction. Retrieved from
https://www.moedu-sail.org/direct-instruction-materials/direct-instruction-june-2016/
ProjectIDEAL. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.projectidealonline.org/v/disability-categories/
LEAP Innovations. (2019). LEAP learning framework. Retrieved from
http://leaplearningframework.org/#framework-download-form
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. (2012) Direct Instruction. Retrieved from
https://www.moedu-sail.org/direct-instruction-materials/direct-instruction-june-2016/
ProjectIDEAL. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.projectidealonline.org/v/disability-categories/