Child

Too many students today are expected to sit still and pay attention. These are good attributes for kids, but only for limited periods of time. It’s too much to ask a kid to sit still for 8 hours a day with only a couple breaks for lunch and recess.

This is even truer when it comes to kids with ADD and ADHD. Many teachers don’t understand how difficult it is for these kids to pay attention. For many, kinesthetic learning is the best way for these kids to learn concepts because it keeps their hands busy and allows the students to learn by actually practicing what is being taught.

Reading about plants, for example, isn’t nearly as meaningful as seeing the plants, feeling the leaves, and examining the petals. Teachers with students that have ADD will find that these students are more successful at retaining the knowledge when the lessons are hands-on. If possible, evaluations (such as tests) should also be done with hands-on activities. If that’s not possible, then teachers can help ADD students in other ways such as allowing him or her a scribe, allowing the student to stand while taking the test, or allowing the student to take the test verbally.

The important thing when it comes to teaching students with ADD is to be understanding. Listen to your students when they explain the difficulties of having ADD; this will help you know how to help and what it’s like to deal with this disability.

What is “No Child Left Behind?”

Image via Wikipedia

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 was initially inked by the administration of George W. Bush, shortly after he took office. It is a U.S. Act of Congress that oversees the public education of children. The general goal of this Act is to help all children within the public educational system, reach their full potential by having them meet academic standards.

The Act was co-authored by the late Senator Ted Kennedy and was widely supported and passed by the Congress.

The goal of the No Child Left Behind Act is for standards-based reform of the educational system. The basic premise is that if high standards are set, along with measurable goals, it will improve the outcomes for individual all throughout the educational system.

The Act calls for requirements that will assess student progress in basic skills. All students will be given these tests or assessments at certain grade levels. If schools are receiving federal educational funding, these assessments are a requirement for continued funding. While this is a federal Act, the education standards are set by the individual states.

The Act also gives parents more options as to the schools their children can attend. It also promotes a more focused approach to math and reading skills that children must attain.

There are four main parts that addresses items such as programs for disadvantaged students, neglected and delinquent youth, additional resources for principals and teachers, and the use of technology in schools. It also addresses providing resources for drug-free and safe environment for students.

Hands-on Teaching for Children with ADD

What is “No Child Left Behind?”

Categories

Recent Posts