Accessing Ability

I'm bouncing off squaregirl's post to give an example of something special that Henry's teachers do to access his abilities.

I've bragged already that Henry knows 25 words. He can read them and spell them. He can also add and subtract.

The thing is, Henry can't write. Not very well at all. He brings home papers every day where the teachers have written the letters H E N and he has traced over them. He is not even writing his entire first name.

I'm positive that there are teachers out there who would think that if a child can't even write his first name, then he must not be capable of anything more advanced. But Henry's teachers understand that his mind grasps many things that he just isn't able to transfer through his hands. They let him dictate answers and they write them down. Or they provide a couple options and have him circle the correct answer. Still working on the fine motor skills, but not letting it stop him from learning and showing what he has already learned.

That's good teaching. That's making a kid feel capable, rather than incapable.