Accomodating Exceptional Students

    

Accommodating Exceptional Students

When setting up my classroom for the year, I need to consider my students with special needs. Many of the accommodations I can make are simple, inexpensive and can be an added benefit for all students in the classroom.

The first accommodation I could make is simply providing enough space for all to maneuver easily and safely through the classroom. If I were to have a student in a wheelchair, I would need to make sure there is plenty of space for him to enter any of the centers, reach books and resources, and move about the classroom.

 For a student who requires a personal assistant, I can provide a space with table and chairs. I can set aside space for a computer, or to store any needed resources.

Another simple idea is to post signs at all centers with clear, concise instructions for a hearing impaired student. Including a picture with the posted instructions can help non- English speaking students and works great for younger grades, where students are just beginning to read.

When considering a student who is sight impaired, I can invite the parents to bring him/her in a little early the first day of school to explore the landscape of the room; and provide warning when something is changed. Assigning a class buddy when needed is also a simple solution.

There are so many other solutions that can be added to the classroom to accommodate exceptional students, ranging from educational computer programs, portable keyboards, for those that cannot hold a writing tool, flash cards and Power Points that the student can use over and over. It just takes a little research, planning and creativity to make the classroom work for all students.



question #8

Prayer in Public Schools

 There are three points to remember when considering this question; schools are public institutions whose purpose is academic education, America is a very diverse nation and all religions in America are given an opportunity to practice freely without interference in accordance with the Constitution.

Public schools in America provide a basic need, to educate our citizens. It is true that the Supreme Court rulings have not infringed on those wishing to say, quietly, their own prayer during the course of the day; for example at the lunch meal. Some groups still advocate for voluntary group prayer, but would this still be voluntary if one feels the social pressure to participate?

 If we allow prayer in schools, which religions’ prayers do we choose? If we include all religious prayers equally how do we manage time constraints and should we insist on proper certification for our teachers on all religions? As someone who comes from a family of blended beliefs, it is possible to teach children to be moral citizens without infringing on anyone’s spirituality.

 It is true that in America God  is a part of many of our institutions and traditions, but it is also true that compromising the total separation of Church and State would affect the very institutions that seek the freedom to practice in America. These are the institutions that one can go to pray and be surrounded by others who choose the same belief and find spiritual comfort there. Let's leave prayer out of the schools.