Diversity and Differentiation

     Mrs O's classroom is a fun place full of students with unique attributes. There are at least two bilingual students, as well as  a student with autism. Another student struggles with fine motor skills. Some students seem unable to remain seated, while others appear to have an unlimited attention span and the ability to sit as long as needed. Still another student struggles greatly with reading and writing, to the point of being probably 2 years behind where he should be.

     No accommodations appear to be needed for the bilingual students. Their grasp of English is excellent and effortless. The student who has autism receives extra services at certain points during the week.  For some assignments, the teacher has helpers who can sit next to him to help point him in the right direction and keep him on task. He is given extra consideration for time limits on assignments, and extra help explaining tasks. The student who struggles with his motor skills has different standards that he is working on during handwriting practice. He is given extra praise and high fives for his successes and hard work. He works extra hard to develop his handwriting and is really a dedicated student with a great attitude! The student struggling with reading receives outside services. He also gets help choosing books that are right for his current level. Reading with a reading buddy is an option he also really enjoys.