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The Compelling Whys are compelling, no pun intended. When I think about why my 6th grade students come to school, all five of these learning needs are essential for student's to achieve their potential, make personal growth, and enhance social development, in order to mamximize learning!


 * Survival is relfected in the baic need to feel safe.** I attempt to look out for the students who may be at risk of thriving due to home, mental or physical challenges. All students need to feel that they can come into my classroom, and they can be safe from bullying, ridicule and mockery, as well as physical safety. We practice the procedures for fire, intruders or major disasters.


 * Affiliation is crucial for al lchildren but the middle school student show is going through so many rapid phsyical and emotional changes, need to feel a sense of belonging and affiliation.** One way I try to promote this is by changin seating assignments in HR and in classes. Children are always partnered with another student so theya re not sitting or working by themselves, unless there are extenuating circulstances. This rotating partnering allows boys and girls to share ideas, skill sets and strengths that they might not otherwise acknowledge.


 * Power is important to children who often feel powerless by the adults in their lives.** One way I intend to give more power to the children is by letting them make more choices about their projects and presentations in class and/or with homeworki did this quite a bit with my gifted class, but didn't allow the other students the same amount or kind of choices I gave to the Challenge Students.


 * Freedom is tied in with power and affiliation, in my opinion. Freedom to choose activities and types of projects** can change a child's attitude toward the porject and the subject matter. Freedom to choose a project based on a student's learning style and intelligences (Gardiner's Multiple Inteligences) can infuse a disenfranchised child into an enthusiastic learner. I plan to add more opportunities to choices and alternate tasks, using the DI (Differentiated Instruction) model into my classes next year.


 * Fun is Fun!** I love to wear costumes and use props but I seemed to limit the fun the children had, fearing the 6th graders would get carried away and become super silly. Having fun can change a bad day into a good day, or a good lesson into a better lesson! Being spontaneous and laughing more will help add some fun to my classroom. I plan to add a joke of the day or week into my opening explanations or concluding remarks. I think this will impact the overall climate in the classroom to be positive.


 * Special Populations should have accommodations and adaptations.** It isn't unfair or too much help to "level the playing field" for a child who has a 504, a learning or processing problem, or has to master English as a second language. By giving extra one on one attention, repeating directions, providing extra visual supports, setting up audio tape versions of texts, using technology, and setting up peer support, these children can function in the classroom successfully. I found it also takes a lot of collaboration and cooperation with the home and school resources, in order to coordinate services and supports, but they're worth it! Each child is someone's child and he/she could be my child, too.

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