Okay experts, I need HELP!!! I've been using power teaching for the last year and a little bit of the year before. I love it!!! I got my class list for this year and like any curious teacher does----I went directly to the second grade hallway to find second grade teachers(yes, I teach third). I found out that I have a child coming to me with a major speech problem. The teachers(in second) told me that I probably won't be able to understand him. If I can't understand him then the other students won't either. What do you recommend for Teach-Okay? I thought of pairing him up with two other students instead of just one. I also thought of placing him with someone that was in his class last year. Any other ideas or suggestions?????

Consider placing him in a group with a compassionate peer and someone that already knows him. It is always good to have a buddy.
That being said, I had 4 boys in my class last year that had varying disbilities. One with Autism and limited speech. By the end of the year he was leading the class while saying the rules, teaching his neighbor and making amazing connections. I really feel that it was in large part to using WBT...this technique gives students words, that would not otherwise have them. Each child learns differently, be patient, but give him lots of opportunities...You will be amazed at his progress by the end of the school year.

As an SLP in the public schools, I'm wondering what recommendations might be made by the SLP in your district. Definitely pair this student with compassionate students, or students who are familiar with him from second grade. The kids can usually understand eachother pretty well. I wouldn't "stick" him with the same student over and over. Or, have him come teach you!

I agree with the last posts about pairing the student with a compassionate student who knows him. Two years ago I had a student who had a major speech disability (he actually came to kinder with an IEP--pretty unusual as identification usually begins in kinder--at least where we are). I always start out providing the information they will teach to their neighbor. I also include gestures--so that they are connecting what they are saying with the handmotions. At the very least the other student will be able to understand what the student is saying from the gestures he is using--even if it is hard to understand the words he is saying. That's the beauty of using gestures while teaching:) I also agree that often the other students understand the student with a disability much more quickly than we do. It seems like my other kinders caught on to the speech of the student that I referred to before I did. And if that student has been at your school for any length of time--the other students who have been with him will probably be used to it by now and will probably be able to help you. Good luck and let us know how it goes;)

Thank you for your responses. I did check and I have him paired up with another student from his class last year. He is sitting up front so I like the idea of sometimes partnering him with me. I also agree that the gestures will help and it can work. Sometimes a person just needs to hear from others your doing it right. Unfortunately he didn't show up today(first day) but there's always tomorrow. Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you again, here's to a great year. Thank you Whole Brain Teaching!!!!!!

Bummer! But at least you are prepared:)
Let us know how it goes!

My speech challenged student showed up yesterday. He's a really sweet boy. During discussions he raised his hand and contributed. He is hard to understand, but not as bad as I had heard. I taught teach/okay to the class today. It worked out okay. He was paired up with a sweet little girl that was in his class last year for part of the time. Pull out testing was also going on, so I had to switch partners through out the class. He was partnered with another very nice boy and did just fine.

I'm hopeful that Whole Brain Teaching(I like Power Teaching better) will really help him improve his confidence and his speech skills. Thank you for the previous posts. Anymore thoughts or ideas are welcome. Here's to a great year for all of us!!!!!