Blog 3

  Modification - When a student is not able to learn the same as a non-special ed student, the teacher needs to make modifications to the lesson being taught.
  While observing the classroom, a couple of the students have ADHD.  I watched the student sitting in their seat while the teacher was trying to teach a math lesson.  The student was very wiggly and was unable to just sit still, but at the same time, they would blurt out the answer without raising their hand.  The teacher was very patient in reminding the student to raise their hand and wait to be called on.  The one thing I was impressed with was how the teacher would let the student raise his hand and then she would call on him and say, "Thank you for raising your hand, what is the answer."
  While doing the lesson, the teacher got out some manipulatives for the students to work with.  She handed the ADHD student a set so that he could work with.  This actually kept him focusing on the task at hand and he was able to complete the assignment.  Some of the other students who do not have ADHD were able to move forward and finish the task without having any modifications.
  I liked how patient the teacher was with the student and didn't seem to be nagging at the student constantly for wiggling and not sitting still.  She modified the lesson plan so that the ADHD student was able to focus and complete the task at hand.  The teacher was able to assist other students and keep everyone on task.
  ADHD is not a mental illness, it is a medical condition that if the teacher knows about it, can be dealt with as things come up.  The student still struggled to stand still in line to go to lunch, ADHD still has an impulsive behavior that the child needs to continue to be aware of and work with throughout his life.