It is a rite of spring in schools that after the week long spring break the pace of instruction increases, routines go out the window with field trips and outdoor activities, and the pressure to complete the prescribed curriculum before final exams intensifies. After all, there are only two months left in the school year!
Whew! Just as your student with special needs has settled into the routines in your classroom, everything starts to change and he or she is at high risk for catching "spring fever". Symptoms of this fast breaking and very treatable condition can include any one or more of the following:
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Shortened attention span, less able to work independently
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An increase in negative attention seeking behaviour
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Refusal to do work that you know he or she is capable of
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Increase in fatigue or irritability
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Signs of anxiety or other symptoms of stress (e.g., sucking thumb, chewing clothes, clicking jaw, grinding teeth)
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Easily frustrated or quick to anger
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Acts bored or disinterested in formerly motivating activities
Please do not view these symptoms as the student being "stubborn" or a new "behaviour" problem. Your student is most likely not intentionally acting up. More so the behavioural changes should be viewed as signs that the student is struggling and needs your empathy and attention. Change is difficult for many students in your class and students with special needs are at higher risk because they lack the reasoning skills and oral problem solving skills to express their emotions or worries. When routines are disrupted and the pace of the classroom intensifies, they simply may not be able to keep up or cope with unexplained changes in comfortable routines.
Start with stepping back and determining what is different, what has changed and ask yourself "what can I do to support the student?". The following are relatively simple accommodations that will make a world of difference to your student's sense of security and well being.
1. Give your student meaningful work
It is tough to adapt lessons on the fly and some times students are given "busy" work such as coloring, cut and paste, or word finds to keep them occupied. Students can easily become bored with these types of activities. Instead of being a once in a while treat, they become commonplace and unchallenging. At the very least consider having a variety of options to choose from. Something as simple as providing neon markers instead of crayons or providing a puzzle instead of a worksheet can engage your student and result in a finished product that they can take pride in.
Reminder: It is highly recommended that you pull out review work for students. It can often be done independently because it has been previously taught. Your student knows the ropes and can confidently go to work on well practiced materials. So, if you are short on prep time, pull out some old favourites that you know the student will enjoy re-visiting.
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Re-read a favourite book
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Play a favourite game or puzzle with a classmate
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Computer games that reinforce curriculum the student has already worked on
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Make additions or renos to a previously finished project
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Practice math facts with dice or card games, let the student self mark answers on a calculator - they love it!
2. Put back in place the visual supports that worked so well to teach your student routines.
It is common to find that teachers have put the visual schedules and choice cards away because "my student knows the routine" or "she doesn't need them anymore". What better tool to use in the flurry of spring fever than the visual tools that provide concrete, immediate feedback to your student. Pull them out of the drawer, put them back into play and you will see your student cope better with all the changes.
When students have a job card, they know what to do and can follow each step independently. You also have a visual to enforce consequences or give rewards for a job well done.
Reminder: Visual supports are available at PREP Links to view. PREP has them all!
3. Give your student a new job or responsibility that is a motivator
When the rest of the class gets busy on exam prep, your student may feel left out. Spring is a great time to engage your student's interest in taking on a responsible job that he or she needs to train on. Start spring training for new responsibilities in the fall!
Reminder: Every student needs to feel important!
4. Allow your student to join another class for a special event
It brightens your day to have a special event to look forward to. Instead of waiting in the library or doing quiet work in the classroom while classmates are writing exams, your student would love to visit another classroom. Laughter is great medicine for spring fever and being invited to a special event (e.g., musical presentation, dance class) in another class may be just the ticket to brighten your student's day.
Do not surprise the student! Anticipation is a reward in itself. Discuss the event with your student, so he knows all the answers to with Who, When, and Where questions. Often these special invites can be used as a tangible reward for getting other work done.
Reminder: You won't know if another teacher will say yes, unless you ask!
5. Allow your student meaningful choices
When there is a change in the timetable, make sure you let the student know that today's schedule will be different. Remember, your student may not process a group verbal explanation and instead may need to look at the changes on a visual schedule.
To better ensure that the student engages in meaningful work, ask what he or she would like to do. To often we make the choice for students with special needs, instead of asking what interests them the most. Giving your student a choice makes her feel more accountable and encourages more cooperation and participation.
For example if your student with special needs is exempt from provincials, sit down and work out some great alternate curriculum choices for the times when he or she is excused from class. It is better to stay in the routine of going to school than request that the student be absent that day. After all, students should be expected to study for their own adapted exams, just like their classmates.
Language Arts
Listen to a book on tape or select a book to read of your choice or work on printing letters in your work book. Students can work on the computer using Writing with Symbols to create their own journal entries.
Science
Work on the computer or go to the library to work on a research project.
Math
Work with math manipulatives or play Starfall math on the computer
Social Studies
Visit another class to watch their presentations on Canada or book a time with their Grade 6 Buddy to have a reading session in the library.
Reminder: Visit PREP Links to look at samples of adapted curriculum that will engage your student
6. Ask parents to pitch in during spring rush, they need to know when you need an extra pair of hands
Parents can well appreciate how hectic the spring rush is and they are often eager and available to lend a hand.
When students with special needs are in an integrated setting, it is important that they have the same opportunity as classmates to partake in special spring events such as science fair, band camp, outdoor school, special assemblies, track meets and field trips.
Please don't ask parents to keep their child at home! If the student is healthy, he or she should be in school. Parents are often willing to volunteer to assist if they have adequate notice to take some time off work or schedule around other commitments. Opportunities should be brainstormed for solutions that motivate and engage the student as a learner.
7. Keep parents informed
Spring fever is not isolated to school! Many households also shift into higher gear in the spring as sports teams start up. A student's mealtimes and bedtimes may be disrupted which then leaves them cranky or irritable the next day in class. It is important for parents to realize that choices also have to be made at home and that homework and a regular bedtime is what their child needs to stay successful at school.
Reminder: Parents cannot deal with a problem unless they know about it. Talking about the concern can lead to solutions like providing the student with a water bottle and energy snacks, waking the student up in time for a nutritious breakfast, and scheduling activities for weekends rather than school nights. It never hurts to remind parents to keep their child home when he or she is sick. Spring fever is even tougher to deal with when a student is battling a spring cold or allergies.
Try out a few of the above to see if the symptoms of spring fever start to lessen. Often a bit of TLC is what is needed to help students through a rough patch and get them back on the learning track.
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