Expectations for Students
I never want my students to use their disability as an excuse for not completing an assignment or not participating in class. At the beginning of the year, I tell my students that it is my job to individualize what I teach in order to meet each one's specific needs. I will not present them with material that is too difficult, but just as importantly, I will not teach material that is too easy for them. Their job is to use the skills and strategies they have been learning to meet my expectations. And, as always, it is important that they use their self-advocacy skills when they feel their needs are not being met.
As the year begins, my expectation for homework is that it is completed and turned in on time. For many of my students this is a difficult transition from what was previously expected of them. As they began to be more comfortable with this routine, I add qualitative expectations to their homework. The following is an example of a homework expectation checklist that I have used in the past.
As the year begins, my expectation for homework is that it is completed and turned in on time. For many of my students this is a difficult transition from what was previously expected of them. As they began to be more comfortable with this routine, I add qualitative expectations to their homework. The following is an example of a homework expectation checklist that I have used in the past.
Homework is an opportunity for students to practice skills independently and for me to assess their learning. I do not believe homework should be used as "busy work" and I evaluate each student's work to see that it meets my standards. Students who do not complete work to the level they are capable of are held accountable. The following is an example of a language arts assignment for a fourth grade student. I have also included a homework tracker that we use to hold students accountable for not completing their homework.
I regularly give students an opportunity to evaluate themselves by providing students with rubrics and initiating a discussion about the assignment. I used the following rubric for students when making a set of flashcards. The class had previously had difficulty completing the work in an organized and neat fashion.
I often use quizzes as a way of teaching study skills, but I also expect my students to show a certain level of competency. For some students, this means showing improvement from their pre-test, while other students would be expected to receive a certain grade. The following is a quiz I used during a unit on electricity.