Typical Students

Can you tell which students are the ones with exceptionalities and which one’s are typical? As we know some exceptionalities are more visible than others.

We felt called to add this category to the list of exceptionalities, even though it is not one in our textbook and is actually the baseline to how exceptionalities are categorized. In our textbook, Inclusion of Learners with Exceptionalities in Canadian Schools, exceptional is defined as students with diverse needs that differ from the typically achieving peers in some way. But what really is a typical student? Is it the student that can meet the demands of the classroom environment, the standards set out for so-called successful learning and making everyone happy? At what cost is it to these typical students to do so? Yes there are definitely some students that fit the old model of education and our societies’ values around what education is, but we think that these students are not the majority. We think they are rare, and that the other so-called typical students are working with a variety of different challenges to meet that typical student standard too.

We all know, or at least I do, many students including myself that are categorized typical, (as they have succeeded in school), but through the process have struggled with burn out, mental health, eating disorders, drugs, suicide attempts and even suicide, to meet these typical student standards. The pressure they feel from society, their community, school and/or family to meet these standards can be huge and is often missed. Just as learning exceptionalities, sensory problems, students at risk and other exceptionality categories can go unnoticed and can effect the students’ self-concept and mental health, it is also true for typical students. This is why inclusion is for everybody. Developing resiliency skills is not just important for students at risk, just as allowing more time to complete a test or activity may not only be needed by students with exceptionalities. Each student has their needs and that is why getting to know your students is so important.

Our intention to add this typical student group to the challenge is NOT to devalue the struggles of those in the recognized exceptionality groups. We all have different talents, challenges, gifts, abilities and unique needs to overcome but we do not all have special needs. Or at least the typical meaning or understanding of that label. I think, it is important for us all to recognize the levels along the spectrum of needs and the gifts and graces that we have been given to help and support others. That we all can continue to grow in greater awareness to meet all students and individuals needs as best as we are able.

Finally, it is not fair to project high pressure and unrealistic expectations on our teachers or others to meet everyone’s needs all the time. However, we can work towards better systems that will promote greater success in achieving to meet the diverse needs among us all. Using universal design for buildings, equipment, technologies and learning benefits all students. We all have to start practicing to see the unique needs among all of us and honouring one another in that. Call on peoples' strengths and support them in their stretches! I love how Shelley Moore refers to weakness as stretches…some of us just have to stretch a bit more in some areas and it takes time and patience. Over-stretching only pulls muscles and takes that much longer to overcome!

Facebook Challenge Activity:

Time to Stretch! Take 3-5 minutes to stretch. Put a timer on and just do it. :) Connect with your body and breathe. Be gentle with yourself and get to know where your limitations are. With ease and patience explore that limitation. No judgements, such as I am so stiff, tight, etc. Practice being kind to yourself and accepting your body for where it is at for today. I have attached a sample of stretches to choose from at the bottom of this post. Also, if possible and you have the time after stretching, watch one of Shelley Moore's videos and continue to stretch as you do it. Your body will appreciate it :)

Shelley Moore’s YouTube channel has some great videos that speak to how every child has diverse needs and that if we can practice differentiated instruction then we will be meeting everyone’s needs. The Dr. Baked Potato and End of Average video’s have already been shared in previous posts and they hit the need for inclusion for everyone, so well. "Spring is here!" attached video is a new one to check out that also hits many key points to why inclusion is for everyone.

Spring is here! Supporting diverse communities to bloom!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l47QjZz1TLI&t=120s

Academic pressure comes from teachers, peers, others and parents. This is not just advice for parents.

TIME TO STRETCH :). A couple ideas....