A focus on the many, not the few

My 'special' students in my 4th period class continue to be a challenge to me. The end of the year is fast approaching and most all of the curriculum I had planned for the class has been covered. I have been delaying doing the 'hovercraft' activity because I do not think the class can handle it. Specifically, I do not think my special students can handle it. However, today I decided to not let the entire class suffer because of the horrible behavior of the few. My first two quarters this year I did not have time to do the hovercraft with my students. 3rd quarter I had a few students who ruined it for the entire class, so they didn't get to do it. This quarter I have some really good students in the class and a few others that just are NEVER on task.

Today I decided to make a concerted effort to concentrate on the many instead of the few. My special students' attempts to get my attention and get the class off track were ignored. By the end of the period I was fed up with them and it was great to have an excuse to have them out of the class the next day (as much as I HATE sending them to other locations, for the good of the many, I am determined to help the rest of the class have a more positive experience). So yet again, while I am improving, there is still room for being better.