Who is a Struggling (Slow) Learner?

1. How to teach students that are behind others? How to teach less talented students?What does “a struggling learner” mean?

2. Who is a Struggling (Slow) Learner? • A "slow learner" is an expression people use to describe a student who has the ability to learn necessary academic skills, but at rate and depth below average same age peers. • a slow learner needs more time, more repetition, and often more resources from teachers to be successful

3. Some characteristics of a “slow learner” • Functions at ability significantly below grade level. • Has difficulty following multi-step directions. • Lives in the present and does not have long range goals. • Has few internal strategies (i.e. organizational skills, transferring/generalizing information.)

4. Some characteristics of a “slow learner” • Scores consistently low on achievement tests. • Works well with "hands-on" material (i.e. labs, crafts, activities.) • Has a poor self-image. • Works on all tasks slowly. • Masters skills slowly; some skills may not be mastered at all.

5. Do “slow learners” havea Learning Disability? • Slow learners typically DO NOT have a disability, even though they need extra support • Cognitive abilities are too high to be considered for an Intellectual Disability • Slow learners tend to perform at their ability level, which is below average

6. Classroom Recommendations 1.Repetition, repetition, repetition. • You might feel like you are saying the same thing over and over, but it helps. 2. Differentiated Instruction: Tutoring • Teach important concepts and leave out some of the less important details. • This helps fill in gaps in basic skills and it helps a student stay caught up 3. Peer tutoring • It is of the most effective strategies for slow learners.

7. How to work with slow learners? • Reduce distractions by providing a quiet, private place to work. • Emphasize strengths. Use lots of praise and reinforcement frequently. • Make lessons short. Limit working time. Have several short work periods rather than long one. • Add variety to the academic routine. Do active things and use educational games, puzzles, and other techniques as much as possible. • Work on material that is somewhat challenging but allows success. Work that is too hard or too easy is a turn-off; avoid them.

8. How to work with slow learners? • Make learning fun and comfortable. Your positive attitude is very important. • Provide meaningful, concrete activities rather than abstract. • Give short specific directions and have your child repeat them back to you. • Parents should work closely with the teacher. • Encourage the child to explore areas of interest to him/her.

9. Environment change seating reduce distractions peer-tutors compensate for physical problems of classroom give the student time out of his seat to let off energy cross-classroom grouping Some Interventions to Meet the Needs of the Slow Learner

10. Materials use learning games incorporate all learning styles (auditory, visual, kinesthetic) incorporate computers as a tool for instructions, drill, and reinforcement use heterogeneous grouping use cooperative grouping provide guided practice for skills taught Some Interventions to Meet the Needs of the Struggling Learner

11. Tasks simplify and/or shorten try alternative instructions and testing (e.g. art work, use of tape recorder, verbal vs. written responses, "show me" techniques, mapping and clustering) require shorter tasks give specific instruction have student repeat assignment directions orally Some Interventions to Meet the Needs of the Struggling Learner

12. Management Techniques employ direct, positive contact provide immediate feedback circulate around the room call student's name or touch them before giving directions write directions on board or give each student a sheet of directions Some Interventions to Meet the Needs of the Struggling Learner

13. Thank You for Your Attention!