Accommodating Differences
Any classroom could be made up with a diverse group of students. This could include obvious attributes such as race and culture or less immediate observable differences such as different learning styles. What the make up of any classroom is will vary by region, school and even classroom. However every teacher will encounter some form of diversity in any classroom they enter. Another form of diversity which will impact a classroom are students with special needs. Three of these groups include those students who are in wheelchairs, visually impaired or English language learners.
This does not mean every one of these students is the same but as a group they will share similar characteristics for which a teacher can prepare. They will all have needs to met and accommodations to consider. A student in a wheelchair creates mostly physical and layout challenges. It does not impact their ability to learn and interact with the class. The layout of the room needs to be designed in a way that allows this student to move around the room in ease. Having extra room between desk layouts, doorways, and key areas of the room to allow access are important. It is also significant to know and understand what help the student needs or does not need. Do not treat them as helpless and think they need assistance with everything. A student may not want much help and would prefer to do as much as they can on their own. Allowing the student to depart the classroom a couple of minutes earlier would make for an easier transfer for them from one class to the next. Creating a comfortable environment is a major key to meeting their needs. A teacher does not want them to feel any different than any other student in the room. Try to avoid any activities which the student would not be able to participate or have an alternative option available for them but you do not want them to have a feeling of being left out. This should not...