Suggestions for Building Academic Success with SLD students

  1. Understand that if you have SLD students in your classroom, they may never be good spellers. These are the children who need to be graded on the content of their work and not on the number of misspelled words. Allow students opportunities to recopy and finalize their work. Consider using the "Underlining Policy" (underlining words they simply do not know how to spell but want to use because they are sophisticated and intelligent words.

  2. Encourage your SLD student to use the computer because they can....use spell check, better organize the work on the page, easily edit their work and correct errors more efficiently.

  3. Be Aware of how your SLD student perceives himself / herself. Often these children have low self esteem. Emphasize the positives in their learning.

  4. Communicate with the student. Discuss his / her difficulties and work together to develop strategies for achieving success. Provide immediate feedback. Acknowledge accomplishment.

  5. Remind yourself and others that these are bright children who can become productive and successful students.

  6. Familiarize yourself with the common characteristics of the SLD student. Identify the children individually. Make accommodations and adjustments in your teaching methodology.