Fairness for One and All
By Lisa Pratt
EDI 600 Psychological Foundation of Education
School of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
May 30, 2009
The F.A.T. City Workshop film was riveting; it should be required viewing for teachers and parents of all school aged children. Dr. LaVoie turned the tables by viewing a school day from the perspective of a learning disabled student, which was especially effective. I can not imagine having to face these obstacles on a daily basis; it is akin to living in a foreign country and not being able to speak the native language.
The most surprising aspect of the film was the idea of “fairness” in the classroom. The host explained that some educators lament that children with learning disabilities are not trying hard enough or they refuse to treat one or two children in the classroom differently because it would be unfair to those who do not need special services. That attitude should sound an alarm for parents of children of all abilities. We have conditioned children to believe that being fair means that everyone gets the same thing. However, the philosophy of the workshop changed that idea for me forever. I now know that being fair is making sure that every student gets what they need. As a parent I love my children equally, however, there are times when one of them may need a little extra love. I do not take love away from my other child; I give it as needed because it is the right thing to do.
Many of the suggestions that Lavoie advocated for the learning disabled benefit all children: sarcasm does not belong in any classroom, rhetorical questions should not be used against children and, lastly, anxiety affects the performance of every child. I especially liked his suggestion to take a child aside, away from the other students in the classroom and assure them that you will not call on them unless you are standing in front of their desk. That simple, kind gesture assures a student that their teacher wants them to succeed.
It is important as future teachers that we approach our profession with all of the necessary educational tools; however, we must also create a classroom environment that meets the unique needs of learning disabled students.
Long Island University, C. W. Post
May 30, 2009
The F.A.T. City Workshop film was riveting; it should be required viewing for teachers and parents of all school aged children. Dr. LaVoie turned the tables by viewing a school day from the perspective of a learning disabled student, which was especially effective. I can not imagine having to face these obstacles on a daily basis; it is akin to living in a foreign country and not being able to speak the native language.
The most surprising aspect of the film was the idea of “fairness” in the classroom. The host explained that some educators lament that children with learning disabilities are not trying hard enough or they refuse to treat one or two children in the classroom differently because it would be unfair to those who do not need special services. That attitude should sound an alarm for parents of children of all abilities. We have conditioned children to believe that being fair means that everyone gets the same thing. However, the philosophy of the workshop changed that idea for me forever. I now know that being fair is making sure that every student gets what they need. As a parent I love my children equally, however, there are times when one of them may need a little extra love. I do not take love away from my other child; I give it as needed because it is the right thing to do.
Many of the suggestions that Lavoie advocated for the learning disabled benefit all children: sarcasm does not belong in any classroom, rhetorical questions should not be used against children and, lastly, anxiety affects the performance of every child. I especially liked his suggestion to take a child aside, away from the other students in the classroom and assure them that you will not call on them unless you are standing in front of their desk. That simple, kind gesture assures a student that their teacher wants them to succeed.
It is important as future teachers that we approach our profession with all of the necessary educational tools; however, we must also create a classroom environment that meets the unique needs of learning disabled students.
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