Teachers can receive training from their school in how to make detailed observations on student participation in kindergarten activities during the first few weeks of school. Each student can be measured on a continuum ranging from none to proficient in their developmental areas and skill levels. A composite score can list each area of student development and assessment made of the students’ needs. With this information, teachers can adapt the curriculum to provide additional supports to students when needed. Students with special needs can also be identified and evaluated. Teachers and principals work together to ensure that the appropriate resources are available.
Teachers can survey the parents for information about areas such as their health needs and developmental supports the child had such as preschool literacy activities. Teachers share the results with the parents and encourage the parents to participate in home activities that help children struggling to grow in developmental areas and build social and communication skills.
Teachers build close and supportive relationships with their students by frequent communication and more guidance than criticism. Students who feel connected to their teacher will become more involved in the learning process, improve class behavior, and increase their academic achievement. The teacher’s relationship with her students also fosters trust, models respect and teaches appropriate social skills to struggling students.
Main course concepts taught and then reintroduced several weeks or months later can involve instructional exercises such as homework, quizzes or class reviews. Delayed re-exposure to course material can increase the students retention of the course material.
Teachers can help struggling students to learn by showing graphic presentations such as figures and graphs to show key concepts and processes. The learning process can be facilitated by the teacher adding verbal description to the visual presentation, particularly when teaching math concepts.
Concrete and abstract representations include blocks with numbers to demonstrate math concepts that the teacher can then explain in more abstract terms. Using concrete and abstract terms together can help students to develop the skills to eventually thing in more abstract terms.