Organizational Difficulties

Cosmo Needs Help

Cosmo is 9 years old and in the third grade. School has never been easy for him. From Pre-K on thru his earliest years of school, he has experienced frustration and failure in almost everything related to academics. He just never seemed to "catch on" as fast as the other children. His older sister and brother excelled academically; but, not Cosmo. At first his teachers thought he was just going to be a "late bloomer" but the "blooming" never seemed to happen. His lowest point in his school career happened in the second grade when he was retained by Mrs. Mellinger. Cosmo's self-concept plummeted. He just couldn't understand why all of his second grade pals were going to third grade and he was being left behind. Even though he failed a grade, he still didn't qualify for special education services. Cosmo struggled on through another year of second grade. He couldn't be retained a second time so he was passed on to the third grade teachers. And, that's where he is now ..... at the beginning of third grade and waiting for another year of frustration and failure. But, that's where YOU come in.

Remember your favorite aunt? Aunt Emma?She just happened to live in the same apartment building as Cosmo's third grade teacher! How convenient that you are spending the week with Aunt Emma when she introduces you to Cosmo's teacher. The next thing you know, there you are at Cosmo's third grade classroom all ready to help his teacher develop an intervention plan for Cosmo. Here's what you learn:

• Cosmo is hard working but just seems to be spinning his wheels. He forgets about homework and tests and when he claims he has done his work, he can't find it.
• Cosmo has been feeling like giving up and has no longer been trying his best with his classwork. Possibly as a defense mechanism, he has also been acting up in class.
• Cosmo's will take notes in class. But they are so messy and unorganized that he can make heads or tails out of them. And of course, he can't remember lessons without taking notes.
• Cosmo's parents both work late and it is Cosmo's responsibility to get his homework and studying done.

Your task:

Cosmo needs your help!Think about Cosmo and what you know about memory and organization. It is important to consider what the typical abilities are for a "normal" 9 year old child ....... And, what that might mean for a child with a learning problem. Then, answer the following: (Using PowerPoint) to present the following information to the class.

1. Select an area of remediation that you would like to work on.

1. Compose an observable and measurable instructional objective for your plan (condition, action, criterion).

1. Develop a comprehensive, intervention plan for your area of remediation. Include the following information:

1. The specific objective that you would work on

1. A description and/or picture of the materials you would want to use or develop

1. A step by step, sequentially planned strategy of what you will do when you are actually working with the student