I teach high school students in Math, Social Studies, and Learning Strategies. What strategies have any of you found successful/helpful for students who take mainstream academic courses? Also, does anyone know where I can find information on teaching Algebra to LD students (ie. hands-on activities, new ways of teaching the same thing, etc.)? Thanks!
I’m not much help with algebra but in terms of strategies for Social Studies and LA and the like, a great deal depends on how they’re tested and what’s expected of them. If it’s expected that they will read a grade level textbook - well, many of them can’t do that. The strategy there is to find a tape of the book at least but it can also be to abandon the book completely and reteach the material in a way more meaningful to students with learning differences.
Support with homework is always helpful as is support with tests.
It comes down to - what’s being asked of them and is it within the range of their skills? Too often the answer is no and the strategy - pure and simple - is to help them close the gap between what’s expected of them and what their skills allow them to do. That can include reading the book out loud, typing while they dictate, helping them take notes or obtain notes, helping them to memorize information for a test or gather it for a paper.
Try to get hold of Mel Levine’s Educational Care book. It has great answers to your good question.