Buddies
“A buddy can help a child make sure she has the right materials or cleans up at the right time. I make sure to choose someone who is soft spoken and not bossy.”
Classroom Jobs
“My ADD/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) students always have a special job so they don’t have free time to get off track.”
Extra Credit
“Two words that can be music to a struggling student’s ears. And the credit can be 10 more minutes on the playground, 10 more points on an assignment, a skip homework pass, or a brag slip to go home to the parents.”
Highlighters
“I use one to discreetly mark the paper of a student with ADD to let them know they don’t have to do all of the problems.”
High-Interest Reading
“If students exhibit spatial intelligence, they may benefit from…comic books, graphic novels, and picture books.”
Rubber Balls
“I give one to students to squeeze during lessons to control impulsive behaviors and outbursts.”
Stickers
“I use them as rewards for completing instructions. Once students have a certain amount, they get a prize.”
Stretching
“I monitor the most severe students to see when they are building up pressure that needs to be released. Then the whole class will do some stretching or deep breathing exercises. It is good for everyone to take a break.”
Tap Time
“If everyone listens or cleans up, I give them ‘tap time’ right after the lesson. They get to make a beat with pencils or feet. Once tap time is over…no more noise.”
Three-Ring Binders
“I use them with colored labels to help kids stay organized and keep papers off the bottom of the book bag.”
Timers
“Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may perform better for shorter periods of time.”
Velcro
“Put a strip on the underside of students’ desks. They run their fingers on it rather than tapping feet.”
