Team BHollie Gaerte, Carolyn Hoffman,

Dana Maghribi, & Kristyn Montgomery Dr. Bell

Fall 2011

Sunnyview Elementary is located in suburb of a major city. The suburb the school is located is an affluent area with a median income of $150,000. The highest percentage of adult population falls in the 35-44 year old age range. The average household size is 3 people.

Anne is a seventh-grade student with ADHD. Last week in her science class, Ms. Peters had the students in class work in pairs to complete a project. This project was chemistry-based and, as a result, involved a lot of very careful instructions and specific recipes. Unfortunately, Anne’s inability to focus entirely on the task at hand resulted in an incorrect final project.

This week, Ms. Peters assigned another project like the previous, but Anne’s partner didn’t want to work with her anymore. Much to Ms. Peters chagrin, Anne was equally upset with herself and had no motivation to even try the new assignment. Instead, she wandered around the room and distracted the other students. When Ms. Peters pulled her aside to talk to her about needing to do her work so that she could get a grade, Anne said, “It doesn’t matter. I won’t get a good grade anyway.”

› Anne: a seventh-grade student with a learning disability (ADHD)

› Ms. Peters: Anne’s science teacher. Her role is to educate all of her students students through specific strategies and motivation.

› General classroom students: Anne’s peers. Can be either motivating factors or distractions.

› Parents: responsible for home environment and have strong influence over motivating children academically.

Should students who have ADHD be included in regular education classrooms?

Can Ms. Peters modify the assignment in a way that might better suit Anne’s disability and the impact it has on her learning? How?

How might Ms. Peters motivate Anne to succeed? What are ways teachers can help and make it easier for

students with ADHD? Could a specific way a teacher seats the students have an

impact? If so how? How might Anne’s parents help at home with her struggle

with ADHD?

Teachers can modify their instruction for students with ADHD through the following methods:› by providing concrete examples.› by providing an outline or an overview beforehand to

keep the students focused.› by checking in periodically with the student one-on-one

to make sure that he/she is comprehending the material.

Teachers can motivate students with LD through classroom environment:› seat students to minimize distractions› make class schedule and rules visible› play calming music

Parents can push the importance of education by incorporating it into home life:› reading before bed› limited television› early bed time and proper nutrition

This is particularly helpful to children with LD.

ADHD in the classroom. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.addinschool.com/elementary/roomsetup.htm

ADHD in the classroom: modifications/accommodations for students. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.education.com/reference/article/ classroom-modifications-accommodations/

City of John's Creek. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http:// www.johnscreekga.gov/about/about/demographics

Dolvin Elementary School. (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2011, from http://www.dolvin.org/