Having a classroom that includes every single student as well as accommodating to their learning styles can be a difficult task. However, it is not impossible to create an inclusive classroom setting. Challenges such as lack of participation, encouragement, engagement can result in an negative classroom space. It is important to create a positive and inclusive setting. There are many ways to create a safe space for all students however it will take time and effort. It may take a few additional steps but ultimately it will make everyone comfortable.
Some steps to determine what type of students are in the classroom.
Step 1: Get to know the student
Step 2: Take a quick assessment
Step 3: Figure out each students learning styles
Step 4: Make groups of all the types of learning styles in the classroom
Step 5: Create lesson plan and activities accordingly
Step 6: Adjust lesson plans as needed
Some examples to consider when assessing students is to acknowledge how they learn. There are visual, auditory, linguistic, kinesthetic learners and more. Once you have determined the type of learners in the class you can group them up and create a lesson plan that caters to their needs. Having premade lesson plans which include learning styles is a great way to include everyone. This way all the students are engaged.
Some students need to be challenged while others may need extra attention. Using a buddy system with two different types of learners during an activity can help both of them out. Using one other strengths will allow for more in class participation and opens up new opportunities.
Including pictures, music, hands-on activities are simple ways to engage all students. Students spend majority of their days in school and it can be difficult to hold each students attention for long periods of time. Student seating can also be a classroom struggle. Students have energy and a great way to get them to be part of the class is by having interactive activities. Whether it’s playing a learning game or having and activity station. Breaking up a lesson by including them can help a ton. Once you have tried an activity you can survey your students. If they enjoyed the activity then it should be incorporated in other lessons. If the students did not enjoy it, we must ask why and learn from that, and maybe skip that activity in the future. As teaches we are also learning from our own students..
There are many ways to help kids in the classroom. It may take some extra time however it is helpful for both the student and the teachers. It can be challenging but there are many resources that can be accessed. Every student is different and finding something that is effective in the classroom may take time. Trial and error is a bigtime classroom challenge, learning from other teachers can also be a great tool.
Overall to be an effective teacher we need to get to know our students and their needs. Adapting and creating curriculum that appeals and is effective to various learning styles is important. Students should be constantly learning and growing.
October 16, 2018 at 11:23 pm
It can be difficult trying to accommodate the different optimal learning styles for students in a single classroom session. From experience, there is never enough time to be able to accomplish everything planned in a lesson. Perhaps it best to try to accommodate the different learning styles through supplemental activities like homework and projects. In the Davis Joint Unified School District, the schools assist teachers through the use of paraeducators to work with students that require more extensive learning style assistance. My experience has only been as a Sub, so I’m not certain about the effectiveness, but I can see how it would greatly remove additional burdens on the teacher.
October 16, 2018 at 11:55 pm
Anum,
I agree that all students learn in a variety of ways and that all of those ways should be accommodated in every classroom. I think the technology available today will be very helpful in assisting teachers with various learning methods at once. I thought your link was a very good visual representation. I am a visual learner so I can understand how hard it is to have someone teach you without visual aids.
October 25, 2018 at 5:04 am
Amir,
This is a great post because it is so important to make sure the teacher is offering different styles to different students. I know that I am a visual learner because i have to read this myself before i understand. Another good way is by looking at pictures because the visual helps be see the bigger picture. I think it is important to know your students and what kind of learners they are. I love you link that includes that the different learning styles like music and nature.
-Kristena Adkison