Here is an example: Yesterday I began the day with a
writing prompt. All I was asking was 5 complete sentences - some
students gave me that and even more. The majority gave me 3 incomplete
sentences - maybe. Then we moved onto a spelling list (taken directly
off of their school work) - students complained that it was elementary
and yet this is what they are needed. I wanted students to alphabetize
their spelling. From experience I decided to put the alphabet on the
board - I saw every student that was following the directions look at
the alphabet on the board. Next was a sheet of handwriting (do you know
that some districts aren't teaching cursive any more - what a shame -
what are students going to do when they need to sign a legal document).
If students would spend less time complaining about their work and just get started, they would finish it much faster.
Today I decided to ask another special education teacher
who also teaches English what she does in her class. She gave me some
reading material and then I created questions to go along. Of course
some students did this, but most did not.
Tomorrow I am going to try another approach and see if I
can grab their attention. Luckily I am grabbing some materials from my
own classroom (the one I am finally getting students in- which is a
whole another issue).
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