Top 10 Quick and Effective Accommodations

1. Increase processing time- Have visual cues that you will be picking on them
soon or let them know what they will be answering #4 ahead of time, so they
can focus on just that one- This way, students are not so focused on others
answers and with the anxiety of not knowing when they will be chosen. They
have extra time to process the question and to articulate their answers.
2. More time to complete assignments- Some students have up to 10 days to
turn in assignments late without any penalties to their grade. Usually, students
dont need that much time. But knowing that they have extra time takes the
nervousness and anxiety away from the deadline for them to focus on
completing the assignment or project well rather than quickly.
3. Tutoring days- Time for more one-on-one instruction during designated
tutoring days. Students know that it is a constant day and some students come
every tutoring day, rather than when they just need to. Its a smaller learning
environment and students feel more comfortable asking for questions,
clarification, and re-doing assignments.
4. Frequent Breaks- In classes with several students with IEPs, I have an aide
that can help provide supervised breaks. I usually have a 3-Emergency-Pass
policy per semester, but for students that require breaks more often, then they
can go more often. Its an easy accommodation. It often helps with students
who were starting to get unfocused and needed to expend some energy to be
able to come back more focused and ready.
5. Preferential seating- Teachers usually do this in one way or another anyway.
Students that work better together, and students that require closer seating,
etc.
6. Use of visuals and graphic organizers- This is a part of good teaching
anyway- I also include writing in bullet points rather than in complete sentences
as a part of this, as it is a way for students to get and explain the content in
ways that are easier to comprehend and are less overwhelming.
7. Have someone read the test questions and answers aloud- I have several
students that are in ELD as well as students who have this as a part of their
accommodations. It is helpful for them to be able to understand what is being
asked of them and gives them a chance to read AND hear the possibilities, ask
for clarification, and be more likely to know the answer compared to if they had
just read the questions and answers.
8. Copies of notes or assistance taking notes- I provide students who require
it, guided notes or copies of the PowerPoints to help reduce the amount of
work but not affecting their ability to learn the material. It allows them to focus
less on having to write at the moment, and can just focus on the information
instead.
9. Small group setting- Students have the ability to help and be helped by their
peers. Students are placed in specific groups and it is helpful for them to hear
ideas and share their own ideas as a part of their learning.
10. Extra time to complete test and testing in another room- Taking
away the pressure of having to finish within a time limit, being able to think and
go back to the test later, and not having to see and hear others finish before
them has been very helpful in increasing test scores. Test-taking is already so
nerve-wracking, and this simply accommodation doesnt require much from the
teacher, other than time.