Exceptional Students

After reading about ADHD and learning disabilities, it is hard to pinpoint if these little kids are dealing with a chemical imbalance...or just normal 5 year old concentration issues!

It's so common for these little kindergartners to lose focus, or focus on many things all at once!  They can be day dreaming, or jumping up in down instead of sitting quietly in their seats.

At this young age they are still learning HOW TO LEARN.  They are learning what it is like to be in a classroom for multiple hours at a time.  They are learning what its like to sit at a table, work with others, how to share, and how to listen and follow directions...it can be tiring!

The last week of January we were teaching the students all about Groundhog Day that was coming up.  By the end of the day the kids were getting restless.  I was working with a group of students at my table and they did NOT want to sit in their seats!  So...I allowed them to learn in a new environment...out of their seats!

The 5 kids all crouched down below the table, so I called them my little groundhogs!  I would hold up a sight word that we were supposed to be learning, and they would "pop up" out of their "groundhog hole" to see the word and then shout it out!  They LOVED this! 

They became so focused on the words!!!  I had their undivided attention....something I was desperately struggling for while they wiggled in their chairs.  

Allowing them a little "wiggle-room" made their educational experience not only more enjoyable, but also more EFFECTIVE!!! :)

We do have two students in the classroom who are being observed and tested for specific learning disabilities.  The Special Education teacher has come in multiple times to observe these students doing different activities.  They leave the classroom once a day to receive specific help to meet their needs.  They are getting a jump start to their academic journey, finding the tools the need in order to be a successful student and participant in life.  :)