Struggling Learners Require Engagement and Multiple Learning Approaches

This year I introduced assistive technology, to five fifth grade students and one fourth grade student. The software I focused on was Start-to Finish Books, Neos, SOLO and Intellitools for math. It’s nice because they have access to laptops in their classrooms. In combination with my students learning to use technology I pared a self-advocacy component as a holistic approach to their education.

We started with Building Wings by Don Johnston. They became enamored with Start-to-Finish Books as well as the idea of identifying someone else with learning difficulties. We spent a week discussing Don’s experiences and relating them to their own. They were then able to discuss what they felt were their own strengths and weaknesses. We have continued this conversation throughout the year as new strengths and weaknesses were discovered. This is a group that has never been self reliant so working with them to understand their own strengths and weaknesses and becoming more vocal about their needs has been very important.

The way my students dove into Building Wings was absolutely amazing. They couldn’t put the book down, and actually asked me if I could get additional books about Don for them. They also loved the format of the Start-To-Finish books and requested other titles. This experience generated interest in books other than what they were familiar or comfortable with. Since then they have read Earthquake, Hurricane, and The Secret of Old Mexico. The students have also become more vocal with their needs. For example, we were completing brainstorming activities using paper/pencil and a couple of the boys asked if they could use their Neos. I was amazed that they had thought to ask. Some have also begun using keyboarding programs in order to make typing easier.

Their ability to relate to Don’s experiences and learn from what Don shared was more than I could have ever expected. I have always encouraged my students to be more self-reliant but this book and the self-advocacy concepts I taught have helped to make these concepts come to life.

Jill Cicero
Special Education Teacher
Fairfax County Public Schools