Entry 3, Exceptional Students

I have noticed that there are multiple times when Mrs. Cullimore has adjusted her lesson to fit the needs of her students.  There are quite a few students in her class that require a little bit more attention. I have noticed that some students have ADHD, and there is one student who just learned English last year. Mrs. Cullimore has made her lessons according to the needs of the kids. In this entry I would like to focus specifically on what modifications have been made for learners who are exceptional. First I will discuss the learning environment Mrs. Cullimore creates, then I will iterate how she gives individual attention to those who need it. 

Since there are a large group of students who have ADHD in the classroom, Mrs. Cullimore has made specific modifications. There is a no talking policy in the classroom. Although it is a room full of twenty plus second graders it is hard to keep this policy in affect. Still, with this challenge Mrs. Cullimore can keep the class reasonably quiet so that others may focus on what's being taught. She tries to get rid of any distractions during the lessons so that each child can have an equal opportunity to learn. All her students have been a lot more successful in the classroom than they had in previous years. Mrs. Cullimore told me that most students were known for being a little more difficult to teach. She has said that all of her students have done a lot better this year and believes it is due to her authoritative teaching method. There are a set of rules that need to be followed, and the students abide by these rules.

There are some exceptional students that require individual attention to help them understand some assignments.  When this attention is needed then she will take the students that need help to the back table and help them get started and answer any questions they might have. In order to not separate these kids from the group she will take other students to the back table throughout the day and help those students with whatever subject they are struggling with. In this classroom there are also a large number of kids with lower reading levels. To help these students Mrs. Cullimore has separated her class into reading groups. She then will help each group as they read a book together. Each student  was also given their own book cubby where they will find books at their reading level that might interest them.

I believe Mrs. Cullimore has done a great job modifying her classroom to help the individual needs of her students. She has proven to me that you don't have to make a completely separate lesson plan to fit specific individuals. It is more than possible to help exceptional students succeed in the classroom environment.