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Storeygard, J. & Tierney, C. (2005). Including all students in meaningful mathematics: The story of Darrell, TEACHING Exceptional Children Plus, 1(3) ,Articles 4. Retrieved [January 31, 20014] from http://escholarship.bc.edu/education/tecplus/vol1/iss3/4
“Including All Students in Meaningful Mathematics: The Story of Darrell” by Storeygard and Tierney is the story of an intelligent, lively boy called Darrell who is with some learning disabilities. The school system and teachers did not adopt the right approach for his mathematics education, and he lagged behind others of the same sage group. It necessitates the understanding of child psychology to impart education to a child.
Article Summary
Storeygard & Tierney (2005) described the story of Darrell who was an intelligent, lively child having some disabilities with respect to learning. He was not handled deftly by educational institutions and teachers right from the beginning of his educational career (p.1).
His parents were an enlightened lot with a lot of concern for their child. They took pains to provide him the best education, but his teachers did not assimilate him with other children of his class or age group. It adversely affected his education on mathematics. Darrell called mathematics to be a subject of the other world as he could not comprehend the complexities and underlying principles due to his delayed exposure to the course of mathematics “A foreign language from another universe” (Storeygard & Tierney, 2005, p.3).
He was introduced to additions only when he advanced to second standard when peers were all well versed in additions and subtractions. National Council of Teachers of
Mathematics (NCTM) has adopted standard-based curriculum, but there was no available experienced teacher, “Math instruction was a potpourri with little coherence” (p.5). Article also emphasized on state of art tactics for teaching students having disabilities in mathematics. The teachers worked as a team in classrooms of special education institutes “Kids like Darrel are my specialty” (p.6). Darrell curiosity, liveliness, and multiplicity of interests are positives that need to be recognized and focused to further his studies. Applications of mathematics should be imparted with relevance. Darrel likes rock climbing, swimming and snowboarding. He has not learnt all these by training but only by watching and imitating (Storeygard & Tierney, 2005)
Storeygard & Tierney (2005) used many images of his class activities and performance. They mentioned the importance of understanding the concept of mathematics rather than ritual knowledge. They quoted discussion between Darrel and his mother regarding current concert and prominence which was improving with the passage of time. Darrel used different geometric figures to solve mathematic problems like "To compare fraction and solve the problem in context, he often drew drawings" (p.13). His mother has closely scrutinized her son’s progress, and she has adopted measures to augment his abilities and perception of things. She takes him to tutors when she feels her son is not showing desired level of progress. At the end, when he admitted in general education, his peers found him an improved student with many capabilities and skills.
In the present treatise, I will discuss how Darrell's education of mathematics was wrongly taken up by educational institutions and teachers, what should have been done and what could have been the best approach, and how his parents could have been made to contribute to the efforts for shaping his personality.
Evaluation of Right Strategies
The system advocated separate treatment to a boy with disabilities, focused on procedures rather than his cognitive and visual strengths. Teachers failed to clear his confusions, provide enough practices, use mathematics curriculum based on National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards, and adopt right attitude to make him learn mathematics. The school system and teachers could notice his strengths and utilize them to make him learn mathematics. It was the wrong approach and attitude of those concerned with school affairs that failed Darrell
In case of Darrell, there was the need to perceive his potential, recognize his aptitude and strengths, and his inclinations to impart knowledge on mathematics. He had the capacity to learn by imitation, practice, and a little encouragement that I would have utilized to arouse his interest in the subject. Practice makes a man perfect, and hence, my approach would have been directed towards that.
I would have liked to assimilate him with his peers, not in physical terms only but on a mental level also to boost his confidence. His cognitive and visual strengths could have been utilized for standard-based curriculum of NCTM, and he could have been made to feel one among his peers.
Imparting meaningful mathematics to all learners should be the motto. I would have encouraged Darrell to be specific about his doubts and difficulties, and allowed to solve a mathematical problem all by himself at his own pace. Regular and persistent coaching, which facilitates extensive practice is the key to instilling in a learner the necessary acumen to grasp procedures. The teachers should need to make close liaison with the students exclusively to clear their doubts. Thus, identifying and capitalizing on strengths, and adopting the right approach under which a learner does not feel as an odd man out would have delivered the goods in case of Darrell.
Darrell is now pursuing studies in the eighth grade. At this point of his academic career, I would like to instill confidence in him by encouraging him to pursue his interests in right earnest. Also, I would like to associate his parents, and make them aware about the classroom programs and the way of approach. Taking into account his physical activities and prowess, he could be made to develop a vibrant career in which there are new challenges. My approach would be to support and encourage him, guide him, and equip him with the knowledge based on the curricula to help him develop a responsible citizen.
Taking into confidence parents of Darrell, and making them aware of the strategy adopted by the school is the key to his academic development. His parents have been so concerned, especially his mother who has been taking decisions and executing them meticulously to further the academic prospects of her son.
Establishing a relationship with his parents would be in fitness of things as they are an enlightened lot, highly concerned with the academics of their son. At first; I would like to invite him to the school periodically to make them aware about the progress of their child, his weaknesses, and the approach his parents should adopt to mold him. Contacting them by written communications, visiting their house, and paying attention to their comments about their son's progress could be the possible ways to establish a relationship with Darrell's parents. It is necessary to convince his parents that the future of their son is in safe hands.
Recognizing the inherent qualities and potential, and adopting an inclusive approach for child education is the key to his career development. A child with disabilities needs to be made to feel one among the entire group of children of his age. He needs to be tackled differently, but needs not be segregated and secluded.
