Dean thinking things through

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Dean thinking things through

Student	Dean	Date	July to September 2008
		Observer	Joan (team leader)

Dean was new to our high school this year. Initially he faced significant challenges to stay on task, stay on site, keep safe and engage with learning. He has a fulltime teacher aide. Using his physical education skills as a motivator (see exemplar Going with Dean’s strengths), we have been able to help Dean to stay in classes longer and he is beginning to engage with what is happening around him.

The long-term goal is to encourage Dean to carry on working things through and to stay with learning activities in classes, other than physical education.

24 July

Dean is working with more enthusiasm this term. Today, he attempted to work by himself in mathematics and did a really good job. He stayed on task, completed some of the activities, and stayed for the whole period. His mathematics teacher was very pleased with him. The positive comments and a merit card were well earned. Dean is very proud of his efforts.

15 August

Dean started slowly in social sciences: social studies but after a couple of attempts at the task he was focused and completed two paragraphs. Later in the afternoon at mathematics, the activity was playing games on the computer. Dean stayed on task, he attempted the games, and enjoyed himself. Dean is starting to get on with activities of his own accord rather than waiting for prompts from the teacher aide.

Over the last week in August, Dean had a very good spell. He got eight merit cards and though he did not engage actively in some subjects, he stayed quiet and calm. This is real change.

22 August

The mathematics teacher asked students to get into groups of four. Six of the boys sat at a table and no one would move. Dean said, “Two of you have to leave. Listen to what the teacher is saying”. Two got up and left without comment while the teacher aide watched amused.

Dean is learning how to follow instructions. On-task behaviour results in positive outcomes for him and he is gaining confidence. It is great to see Dean keen to get on with the task and encouraging others. I hope this will happen again in mathematics and other classes. His taking the initiative was a first!! The other students accepted his lead!

5 September

Dean is responding to a change of approach by the teacher in mathematics. Dean is actively working with a friend on number, using visual aids to help their understanding. He is enjoying this and working positively. When Dean is paired with someone of similar ability he is able to share in the discussion and contribute.

6 September

Dean started one-to-one cooking lessons this term with the occupational therapist in his ACC support team. They used the facilities in the Learning Centre kitchen. The purpose was to get him motivated to try similar activities at home and to prepare for moving into the food technology option.

(Clicking on image opens full size version)

Today, Dean was able to follow the steps of a recipe, with support, (using verbal and visual prompts) and to see the task through from beginning to end, with appropriate breaks. At one point he paused and you could see him working through his options. He decided to have chocolate chips in his cookies.

Dean was very proud of himself and he enjoyed eating his cookies. While he was prepared to share his bounty with me, he was very excited about taking some home to show his Dad.

11 September

In Health P1 class, where the topic was puberty, Dean listened and asked a few questions. This marked a change in his behaviour in class and showed real engagement. Before this, he has been happy to listen and follow instructions.

12 September

In his learning support session, Dean designed a picture for a character profile and completed a worksheet. He also had to figure out how to read a map. He asked lots of questions and worked steadily. He still prefers to work on his own. Generally, when he works with others he finds it hard to concentrate and gets distracted easily.

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