Field Work Blog 3

Modifications for Exceptional Learners

In Mrs. Wilson's classroom, she has a few exceptional students. There are many different ways she supports these students, and many different modifications she makes. As I was helping grade papers, she gave me special instructions on how to grade certain student's homework/ morning work. For some, she only required them to do half the amount of work, and still gain full points. She explained to me that these students were doing their full effort to complete this work, and because of their mental capacity they can't do much more. If they do their best, give them full points.

 There were other ways these exceptional students get the help they need. They have various "pull out" classes. Mrs. Wilson said that they try and incorporate them as much as they can with the rest of the class, but for some things they have to go another class. I was able to observe in these other classes. There is much more one on one help, as in smaller groups (2-4 students per one teacher) the students are able to more easily focus and get questions answered. These pull out classes were for the fundamentals in reading, writing, and math. I feel like having these classes really is beneficial for the students, and allows them to learn in a better environment. Keeping them as much as possible in the "home room" classroom also allows them to develop their social maturity and not feel completely ostracized or left out. Overall I learned a lot about the various ways teachers help those who are exceptional students.