Expectations, Accommodations, and Modifications, Oh My!

In a system where we strive to meet each student's individual needs, we may feel overwhelmed when trying to figure out the best way to accomplish this goal.  All teachers share these experiences, but it becomes even more difficult at the intermediate Math level since there is a drastic difference between the intermediate and junior level Math programs.  The intermediate expectations address topics which are not examined at lower levels so outside resources are often needed.  Now the challenge is to locate high-quality, age/skill appropriate resources.  Many of the technological tools we examined in this course will go a long way towards meeting these expectations.  

Other resources and ideas may be obtained from colleagues.  Some amount of experimentation may be necessary to determine the student's skill level, which can seem daunting at times.  Again, collaboration with previous years' teachers, Special Education teachers, and Educational Assistants will often alleviate some of this pressure by offering ready made tools and ideas.  There is no need for each teacher to "reinvent the wheel" if suitable resources already exist.

No matter what level a student is working at, our goal is to encourage their success by providing appropriate learning materials.  In most cases, a teacher's best resources are their colleagues.