Don't teach the student how to cheat, fake it or get by. Instead make them slog through the material, because it's honest and necessary
What other handicapped group is forced to submit too such a rule? Are blind people forced to live with out canes because it makes them more honest. Children with glasses forced to live without them to be more real?
I wonder how many of teachers teach kids how to fake it? I mean at what point do we look a child in the eye and say; "Well you are 3 years behind the learning curve here are ten survival strategies that might be useful for you to know."
Maybe this did happen to me - I just don't remember it. But I don't think so. This is a big problem in modern education - people who have consistently failed to learn to read should be taught basic survival strategies.
Lets go through them here...
1) Lie - Well this was the hardest one for me and probably the biggest lesson. The powerless always have the right to lie to the powerful and who is less powerful then a student who can't read in a modern classroom.
2) Cheat - I am still not a fan of cheating cause I grew up a good kid. But I do believe in getting help from my friends on homework - I believe in many places that is called cheating. I just call it group support. Hint - you have to use your own handwriting if you can.
3) If all else fails just don't respond. A raised eyebrow may just prompt the answer to appear. Silence is the best defense of the cornered.
4) Sit strategically - The front row is great for hearing the teacher. But if the teacher likes to pick people out during class. Sit in the back behind the biggest kid you can find.
5) Get your homework done early - But think about not completing certain tasks tactically. Remember certain tasks take a huge amount of energy others much less. Weigh your options and choose not to take some. A captain of sinking ship can't save everything.
6) Books on tape are at the library and librarians are willing to find them for you - need I say more?
7) Pick a day of the week and never do any reading and writing on that day - ever.
8) Don't Cheat on Tests - This is fairly important rule - I have never met a test cheater who didn't get caught - of course I also did fairly well on non essay tests without cheating.
9) The goal is too pass - getting an A is great - but man a C- is just as satisfying when your working your ass off
10) Dear Reader - What rule do you think should be inserted here?
a) Send out an SOS and Ask for Help - admit to the adults who are kind and trustworthy that you need their assistance.
b) Laugh more - need I say more?
c) Stop the Blame Game - Blind people don's feel guilty for not being able to see - they might get frustrated sometimes - but they don't blame themselves for not being able to see...
Storytelling
4 comments:
your 10 rules are heartfelt and Lived I can see....
I think finding an empathetic adult to help sort out difficulties can also be included as a helpful tip...
I am sure there will be some one who will understand...and help
That was interesting . . . . .
I think all teachers should go through it.
Very interesting. I have even come up against problems at University level, where I have specific needs (such as needed a quite room to work in when we workshop our writing as there is too much noise going on) - am doing an English and Creative Writing degree. Not everyone understands these needs, nor the reason why I can't keep up with all the reading. Part of this is because I never actually told my tutors if I was struggling, so to echo what sstoryteller said, talking to an empathic adult helps. They can't help us if we dont tell them whats wrong
I wish your blog had been around, while I was still in school. I was wondering if you could write some entrees for dyslexic adults, and the problems that we face.
Find an out let
School, work, and other situations can be vary frustrating, but channeling your frustration into music, writing, or something else that you love, can take a lode off your mind.
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