Learning Activity 4
Special learners can contribute a great deal to the learning environment; however, including them in all activities and learning processes can be a touchy process. It is part of the teacher’s responsibility to find ways to include all students in each activity, and give special learners a chance to really succeed while not holding the other students back. An additional help might be having an aide for special students if one is available. If not, teachers should take steps to prepare for the needs of their special students by doing research, asking other teachers what they do with those students, and thinking of activities all students will enjoy and learn from.
In addressing the needs of gifted learners, teachers can offer them special opportunities to lead sections or conduct the group, nurturing a passion for music and encouraging them to do as much as they can with it.
While it is necessary to include all learners, it will be difficult at times. We must devise ways to include everyone, but make sure the group learns and succeeds as well. Special learners in bands may have difficulty focusing and keeping time, and special students in choir may not stay on pitch or also lack focus, but we must still include them as best we can. They deserve the experience of performing music, and it’s our responsibility to give them that opportunity.
You might work with your administration to define exactly where the line will be drawn. For example, do they go on tour, do they perform for contests, etc. But you are right about rights!
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