Written by: Jeffrey Benson
It happens a million times a day in schools: a teacher starts a lesson.
The strong students seize on the new learning opportunity. Typical students figure out enough of what they have to do to succeed. But students who struggle in school may flare up, or shut down, at this critical juncture. These challenging students often react before they give themselves a chance.
There are many unpredictable ways your new lesson can trigger an old wound in a challenging student. Teachers can reduce those sudden negative reactions by planning to provide directions in four ways. These approaches are good for every student and probably necessary for our most vulnerable ones.