Teaching Strategies

General Tips/Reading Difficulties/Social Skills/ Rules

General Tips:

• Capitalize on student strengths

• Use multi-modalities

• Use multiple intelligence approach

• Preteach vocabulary

• Use the KWL approach

• Define the 'big ideas', tell the students the big ideas

• Use small group activities

• Use picture support

• Use alternate means of assessment

• Allow students different means to demonstrate learning

• Be concise

• Link experiential knowledge to the lesson

• Provide outlines, webs, organizers

For the student who has reading difficulties:

• Tape material

• Use a peer reader

• Preview units

• Identify main ideas

• Encourage highlighting key vocabulary, ideas, etc.

• Explain idioms

• Use computer assisted reading (scan text & have free "Read Please" software downloaded which reads text to student)

• Use graphic organizers

• Teach reading comprehension strategies

• Use alternate, easier to read material on same topic

For Students who have difficulty with social skills

• Use nonacademic activities which require social interaction (games)

• Use role play to highlight needed skills

• Use Social Stories to directly teach a skill

• Let student choose partners in learning activities with the understanding that appropriate work will be done

• Partner student with an understanding peer (you know who)

• Consider having a 'lunch bunch' to foster friendships and facilitate interaction

For students having difficulty following rules:

• Be clear, concise, and consistent

• Be fair and objective

• Post the rules

• Teach the rules

• Model the rules

• Always show everyone the respect you want to see from them

• Have students set personal goals

• Use positive feedback

• Use proximity

• Use humor

• Use self-monitoring strategies

• Use contracts

• Determine what is reinforcing for the student & use it

• Use the Premack Principle

• Look at the environment.  Change the child's seating arrangement.

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