PLC - Strategies for Learners

Course Question

What strategies can help students who struggle with common learning areas?

Study Guide

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LESSON OVERVIEW

This lesson discusses several strategies to help students who are struggling in common areas. These strategies are specific examples of Universal Design for Learning. Plan to use examples of these strategies in your lessons you are teaching at the end of this lesson.

1. Pick three of the strategies below and read the articles listed in the section.

2. Download the study guide and answer the questions.

3. There is no quiz for this lesson, instead you will turn in your completed study guide.

VISUAL STRATEGIES

Visual strategies benefit students who need information organized in a visual format. Visual strategies may include graphic organizers, to-do lists, schedules, etc. Most students benefit from visual strategies, but students with the following disabilities will most likely need visual strategies to help them succeed: Autism, Intellectual Disabilities, ADHD, and Learning Disabilities. Read the following article and resources to understand more about students who struggle in this area and how to help.

Readings

WRITING STRATEGIES

Writing is one of the most challenging tasks for students of all abilities. Students who struggle in this area may not have the physical ability to write. Students might struggle to organize their thoughts, focus long enough to complete a writing task, understand language, or have a difficult time with spelling and mechanics. There are so many skills needed to be a successful writer. For students with disabilities, there are so many areas they can potentially struggle in. Who will struggle? Most students benefit from writing strategies, but students with the following disabilities will most likely need writing strategies to help them succeed: Learning Disabilities, Speech and Language Impairments, Intellectual Disabilities, ADHD, and Autism. Read the following article and resources to understand more about students who struggle with writing and how to help them.

Readings

READING STRATEGIES

Reading support becomes necessary when students must read to learn in all their content areas. All content requires some amount of reading, which can be a daunting task for students who read or decode far below their peers. Most students benefit from reading strategies, but students with the following disabilities will most likely need reading strategies to help them succeed: Learning Disabilities, Speech and Language Impairments, Intellectual Disabilities, ADHD, Autism, and Hearing Impairment. Read the following article and resources to understand more about students who struggle in this area and how to help.

Readings

MATH STRATEGIES

Math is a specific language of vocabulary, symbols, and processes. Students with disabilities often struggle to understand and apply the language of math. The visual nature of math can make it challenging for students who struggle with visual impairments. Abstract concepts in math can make it difficult for students who struggle in this area. Most students benefit from math strategies, but students with the following disabilities will most likely need math strategies to help them succeed: Learning Disabilities, Intellectual Disabilities, ADHD, Autism, and Visual Impairments. Read the following article and resources to understand more about students who struggle in this area and how to help.

Readings

SCIENCE STRATEGIES

Learning in science is often focused on a problem solving approach which can make it a motivating subject area for students to learn. Also, the hands on tasks in science can make learning easier to understand. Some of the challenges in science may come from the focus required to complete lab activities, the visual nature of the subject, and abstract concepts. Most students benefit from science strategies, but students with the following disabilities will most likely need science strategies to help them succeed: Learning Disabilities, Intellectual Disabilities, ADHD, Autism, Visual Impairments, and Emotional Disturbance. Read the following article and resources to understand more about students who struggle in this area and how to help.

Readings

STRATEGIES FOR MEMORY

Memory plays a tremendous role in our ability to learn. Although some students with disabilities have powerful memory abilities that help them compensate for their learning struggles, many students with disabilities struggle in this area. Memory ability can be difficult to change, but there are many supports that are available to help students learn in all content areas with memory supports. In fact, most of us can benefit from using memory strategies to help us learn. The following disabilities will most likely need memory strategies to help them succeed: Learning Disabilities, Speech and Language Impairments, Intellectual Disabilities, and ADHD. Read the following article and resources to understand more about students who struggle in this area and how to help.

Readings

ASSIGNMENTS

Submit your completed study guide.
Complete the assignment PLC - Teaching a Universal Design for Learning Lesson.