Recipe for success

1) Exploring- I believe that classrooms should have variation in color, texture, and pattern: This helps children “see” shapes, tones, hues, designs and helps children “feel” different textures. Hear the harmony, rhythm, rhyme. The lessons should be presented by teacher in an artistic manner that is aesthetically pleasing. This will invite students to touch, admire and inspire.

2) Independence- I think that children need to have some independent opportunities to practice and master skills. Children can do things for themselves and they can be proud of their accomplishments. Students learn better by doing things over and over by themselves; they began to understand better how things work and what there for. Teachers must become highly skilled questioners in order to encourage student’s independent learning.

3) Play- I believe that learning concepts through play will be more joyful and fun. Most children like to play games and they can learn while they do so. Games such as jeopardy and crossword puzzles can be adapted to course material and used for review, for assignments, and/or for exams. Games can be used at the individual, small group or full class levels. There are now some fun computer programs that can also develop math, reading and writing skills.

4) Responsibility- Involving students in real live work can be very beneficial. Having responsibilities such as watering plants, setting up the art displays, putting the library books in alphabetical order students build their confidence, competence and cooperative skills.

5) Tools- Students need appropriate tools and materials. They need to be child-sized, kept within easy reach. They should also have clearly marked places where they are kept and then put away. I think all tools must be available for students any time. I’ve found that children with learning disabilities have difficulties processing information. These difficulties may involve visual processing, auditory processing, logic and reasoning, and long term memory. To develop all these areas students need specific exercises and development tools. Those tools need to be and put away when not needed.