All students learn a little bit differently. Let’s figure out how to account for these learning differences in classrooms.
I learn differently.
When I was 6 years old, I was diagnosed with Dyslexia. Dyslexia wasn’t as well known back then. My classroom teacher didn’t know what to do with me. She certainly didn’t know how to deal with my learning differences in the classroom.
Fortunately, my mom found some tutors for me who did know how to teach me to read. Dyslexia could have been a major impediment to my academic success. It became my biggest strength because those teachers welcomed my learning differences.
Those teachers turned my learning difference into a strength.
I’ve had many teachers and professors over the years struggle with accommodating my learning difference. It isn’t their fault, and I do not blame them.
I had a professor once who mentioned how great it would be if every student learned the same way. I humbly disagree.
Ok, no so humbly.
I became a teacher because I didn’t want every day to look the same. Helping students was my goal, but the challenge was what kept me coming back. Trying to figure out how to accommodate all of the students in the classroom made every day interesting.
Teachers have so much to do! Accommodating all of the learning differences in the classroom is an overwhelming thought, and that is without any implementation. But, can you imagine what our classrooms would look like if every student learned the same way?
If every student learned the same way, our classrooms would be boring.
Truth bomb: Even if the curriculum and standards didn’t change, most teachers would change up some aspect of their classroom yearly.
Yes, I said it.
We teachers are always finding new, better ways to reach and teach our students. Changing standards and curriculum, I think, gets in the way of real progress toward meeting student’s needs.
What drives the changes teachers make year to year? Learning Differences.
What are some easy ways to accommodate learning differences in the classroom?
- Get to know student’s learning styles.
- Provide choices in how students show their learning.
- Play music (classical is really great for focus) during independent practice time.
- Teach students about THEIR learning styles.
- Use my freebie Appreciating Differences to help students learn about their own strengths.
- Ask your students what lessons they learned the most from, and model future lessons after those.