Learning limitation

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic conditions that affects children and adults. The symptoms include difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, anxiety, boredom, and excitability. Common behaviors are hyperactivity, fidgeting, irritability, and lack of restraint (Source: Mayo Clinic). These symptoms can create limitations for students. To keep ADHD students engaged, the instructor should give very concise instructions. To facilitate learning, conduct lesson plans that students are interested in as much as possible.

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Scientific concept

Biodiversity is the collection of different plants and animals in any given habitat. Animals specialize in specific behaviors like foraging, or socializing. Plant morphology specializes in capturing sunlight, or harvesting water and certain nutrients from the soil. Someone who understands biodiversity can see it anywhere—from their backyard to a natural park. This is a broad (and complicated) topic to sit down and explain to a person with ADHD, so I’ve developed a lesson plan that will cater to their learning limitations.

 

Field trip

This learning strategy is perfect for ADHD kids who are constantly being distracted. The motive of the field trip is to identify as many different kinds of organisms as possible and make a “scientific guess” as to what their morphology or behavior allows them to do. Incentive is helpful when trying to motivate ADHD kids, so coming up with a prize that excites the students is effective. To encourage students to identify various types of organisms, it would be best to provide the students with a paper with silhouettes of various plant and animal shapes found in the region. For example, the Arroyo Hondo Reserve in Santa Barbara has lots of different birds, trees, squirrels, salamanders, and even deer. Silhouettes create mystery and curiosity—they may even motivate students to set out and find those organisms during the trip. These “shape sheets” preview what diversity looks like, and serve as a tangible reminder of the competition at stake and the prize to be won. The instructor can use this as a way to record the students progress, although they should be flexible with how the students use the sheet. Too many rules causes them to lose focus. I’d recommend giving the students options and letting them use the method that appeals to them, whether they color in the shapes, write species names, or simply cross them out.

 

If the instructor doesn’t have time to become familiar with the local flora and fauna, then they can hire a guide from the local reserve, a park ranger, or simply invite the teacher who loves to go birdwatching along. I would not encourage the instructor to take the students somewhere on campus because it is likely the students will get distracted in their own habitat.

 

There are dangerous plants and animals that kids should stay away from (thistles, rattlesnakes). If it is a larger group going on the field trip, roping in a couple of chaperones would be advised.

 

Reflection

The freedom and creativity of this lesson plan facilitates learning in everyone, including those with ADHD. This method caters to people who are motivated by competition, the satisfaction of completing a fun activity (ADHD), or simply enjoy taking in their surroundings. Although rules and restrictions may sometimes encourage competition, most of the time they detract from the fun of the activity. The more fun and activity is, the more participants remember it.

 

Although people with ADHD usually experience increased fidgeting, most people get antsy when seated in class for an hour. This is all the more reason to organize engaging excursions that everyone will enjoy, and simultaneously avoid limitations ADHD students experience in the classroom every day.