Quote:
Originally Posted by Swarly
i'm sure 4th grade kids are perfectly equipped to be aides to special needs kids. If it is a minor disability then that would work great but if it is any more serious they need a real aide. Also no matter how you put it if this child is needing aid, even from another student, they are being labeled.
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Sounds more like a lesson in what labelling is, what it means, and why it shouldn't be participated in.
Actually, the more I think about it, its like a golden opporotunity to really impart on the students patience, understanding, respect, friendship.
I'm not talking about class talks or grand overtures, just simply letting the natural course of the classroom play out once the special-needs student has the help they need from the kid who's going to excel no matter what anyway. Not to mention that outside the classroom kids at that age tend to see themselves and each other in a more equal light.
The social fall-out of the achieving student helping the struggling one but then chillin' outside the classroom too will do wonders for the confidence and self-esteem of the struggling kid. Remember, it can't be easy to be the one who is always behind in everything.
I mean, s*** man, its not like it isn't worth a try.