It is hard to conceive of a classroom activity that does not involve
working memory – our ability to work with information. In fact, it
would be impossible for students to learn without working memory. From
following instructions to reading a sentence, from sounding out an
unfamiliar word to calculating a math problem, nearly everything a
student does in the classroom requires working with information. Even
when a student is asked to do something simple, like take out their
science book and open it to page 289, they have to use their working
memory. Most children have a working memory that is strong enough to
quickly find the book and open to the correct page, but some don’t
– approximately 10% in any classroom. A student who loses focus and
often daydreams may fall in this 10%. A student who isn’t living up
to their potential may fall in this 10%. A student who may seem
unmotivated may fall in this 10%. In the past, many of these students
would have languished at the bottom of the class, because their
problems seemed insurmountable and a standard remedy like extra
tuition didn’t solve them. But emerging evidence shows that many of
these children can improve their performance by focusing on their
working memory. Working memory is a foundational skill in the
classroom and when properly supported it can often turn around a
struggling student’s prospects. This book will make sure you are
able to spot problems early, work with children to improve their
working memory and ensure they reach their full potential. How does
the book work? Each of the following chapters includes a description
of the learning difficulty (WHAT), followed by an inside look into the
brain of a student with the disorder (WHERE), their unique working
memory profile (WHY), and classroom strategies to support working
memory (HOW). There are two types of strategies: general working
memory strategies that can be applied to all students in your class,
and specific working memory strategies for each learning difficulty.
The final chapter (Chapter 9) provides the student with tools to
empower them along their learning journey. The aim in supporting
students with learning difficulties is not just to help them survive
in the classroom, but to thrive as well. The strategies in the book
can provide scaffolding and support that will unlock their working
memory potential to boost learning. They are designed to be easily
integrated within the classroom setting as a dimension of an inclusive
curriculum and used in developing an individualized education program
(IEP) for the student. The strategies recommended here can also
complement existing programs that support a core deficit, such as a
social skills program for a student with autistic spectrum disorder,
or behavior modification for those with ADHD. Each chapter also
includes: Try It box: Provides the reader with an opportunity to have
a hands-on understanding of the material Science Flash box: Gives the
reader a snapshot of current and interesting research related to each
chapter Current Debate box: Discusses a controversial issue pertaining
to the disorder Tracy Packiam Alloway is an award-winning psychologist
based at the University of North Florida Ross Alloway is the CEO of
Memosyne Ltd, a company that brings cutting-edge scientific research
to parents.
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Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781473909304
Publisert
2014
Utgave
2. utgave
Utgiver
Vendor
Sage Publications Ltd (UK)
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok