In your teaching profession, you are sure to encounter slow-moving students who will always need more of your time and attention in the classroom. Should you just give them work and collect them? Should you allot extra time for them? How will you be able to engage them in the activities with other students? How will you manage to allot more time to the slow-movers in the class? As the B.Ed College in West Bengal, here is what we think can help you become a good teacher and be inclusive with all the students in your class.
Closely assess the slow-moving students and take note of their behaviours. Share your notes with the school counsellor and try to figure out the reason why the students are slow learners. They can be battling learning disabilities, ADHD, processing problems or anxiety. Maybe the student has eyesight issues or cannot concentrate because of the amount of noise in the class. Try to get to know the student’s history, connect with their parents and gather as much information as you can. Share your findings with other staff members involved in their classes and make sure you allot extra time and give them the extra attention they need from you.
Once you get to know a student personally, it will be easier to understand their learning styles and interests. Once you get to learn their interests, you can plan the activities for them accordingly and encourage them to get involved in the aspects that interest them through co-curricular activities and events. You will also be able to learn if they have confidence issues or if they are facing any trouble at home that holds them back from achieving the performance they are capable of.
At times slow-moving students need a little nudge about the time they have left to finish their work. Using a timer in the classroom can keep them aware of the time they are using to complete their work. Consider writing the total time you allotted for the task completion on the blackboard and have them follow the classroom clock to ensure they always know how much time they have left in their hands to complete the tasks.
Slow-moving students often would expect you to do their tasks for them. Helping them complete the task by doing some task for them is never a good idea. We want the students to become independent learners. Instead, as the best B.Ed College in West Bengal, we recommend you to discuss the problems with them. Ask them what they want to do with the problem or how they want to answer the question and then ask them to go ahead and do it. Work with them to make sure they know you are there to help them out and they are not alone.