Teach to their needs, not your wants

The key to a successful classroom, where the children do as directed and participation is administrated; is teaching to the needs of individual children. Much to often we teach to what we want, or what we think the children want. This week I recognized that this is what me and my co- teachers have been doing. We have been teaching lessons, and those lessons we thought were lessons the children wanted and needed. But we truly stood back and began to recognize and listen to the voice of the children. From there we began to teach lessons and activities more directed at them and their needs, not our wants. Specifically, there is this girl that you may consider to be the 'problem child'. She is always acting out, getting in fights, night participating and struggling a lot at home, so it causes issues at school. We decided to ask what activities she would enjoy doing and she told us. We then went from there and planned an activity to help her become more involved within the classroom. The next day she participated, enjoyed the classroom, got along with her peers, presented what she created, she was smiling and happy. It was incredible to see the difference in her body language. She recognized that someone listens to her and wanted to hear her opinions. I can't wait for the other opportunities with other children.

Orthopedic Impairment: I had to practice having a disability this week. It was challenging to have to use a wheelchair. I had to go hours without being able to use my legs. Going up hill and going around town, on campus, and even had to go into a restroom. We take for granted our daily ability to walk, run, skip, jump. In this experience i had to realize that the world does not fully design Everything for people in wheelchairs. Their needs aren't always met. Getting a drink at the drinking fountain was so difficult, going to the bathroom was insanely hard. wheeling up hill was a struggle... so many thing i just am so grateful i now see that every child with a disability has different needs and we must be there to help.