Skip to main content

What to do when you modify a lesson and it still doesnt work

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

What do you do if you modify a lesson for a child with a learning disability and it still does not work? I have spoken with fellow students and teachers and they have changed lessons many times to fit the student with the learning disability and it has not worked. It is very disappointing for you want to help the student to success, and you feel as you are failing. What else can you do to make sure the student can reach their personal success?

Submitted by Sue on Tue, 02/17/2004 - 2:10 PM

Permalink

Well, in the general terms you describe, you figure out why the student still didn’t succeed and address that issue, whether it is a: not addressing the disability (still making language or background knowledge demands of the student that they’re unable to meet in the reading, writing or listening department), b: the content’s confusing and convoluted anyway, c: the student is not engaging in the learning (for any of a number of reasons) so it’s not sticking or d: the assessment isn’t assessing what the student is learning, or e: really, the student needs different instruction.
Specifics about the student and the lesson and its modifications would be more helpful in answering your question (unless you’re already to the point of just wanting to hear “if modifications don’t work, change placement or relinquish guilt feelings for the student not learning”)

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 02/20/2004 - 3:47 AM

Permalink

there’s no one size fits all answer to this question unless it’s try, try, try again. A great deal would depend on the lesson you’re teaching itself. If you’re teaching basic addition, you can’t move on till the student has some grasp of it. If you’re teaching the basic complexities of colonial America, you can move on to teach the 19th century even if the student hasn’t grasped the 18th.

Are you teaching skills or content is the real question? If it’s skills, you’ve got to keep trying and be patient while doing so. Modification is an attempt - it’s not a quarantee.

Think of it like this. What if you’re trying to teach a 9 month old to walk? Some children walk at 9 months but most don’t. Do you think if you modify what you do with every 9 month old that you can get every child walking by 9 months??

Some things need time as well as patience. Don’t just think about modify lessons - some curriculum needs modifying too. Teaching practices are also worthy of being modified.

Back to Top