A learning contract can provide a student with ADD, ADHD or other learning disabilities with a written checklist of required subject matter/content necessary to pass a class. Using learning contracts is one way for teachers to effectively differentiate instruction in the regular classroom. But just how does a teacher create a learning contract? What goes into a learning contract? The best contracts are those that are created in a collaborative way with the student.
How to Make a Learning Contract for a Student With Learning Disabilities
The best way to make a learning contract is to come up with classroom content goals and then work with the student on ways to achieve those goals. These broad goals can then be broken down into assignments and projects whose completion will be required in order to motivate a student with learning disabilities into successfully learning the subject matter. Assignments should highlight a student’s learning style and strengths.
For example, if a teacher will be teaching her students about Native Americans, a contract can be written that lists each region of Native Americans (content/learning goals), and how the student will learn about each region (student plans including reading assignments, Internet research, projects), the amount of time that will be spent on each region (due dates), and finally a way for the teacher to determine if these goals have been adequately met (evaluation/sign-off).
Sample Learning Contract – Content Instruction
Learning contracts can be used to help a student with learning disabilities progress through the content of a particular subject and units such as division in math or Native Americans in social studies (as above). The following sample learning contract (including a section of basic information and a grid to keep track of the goals and student assignments) can be used for differentiating content instruction.
Basic Information
- Student name: John Student
- Teacher: Palmer
- Subject: Social Studies
- Unit/Area of content: Native Americans
- Start date of unit: March 1
- End date of unit: March 31
Column 1: List of Content Goals
- Northwest Coastal
- Southwest
- Northeast Woodlands
- Plains
Column 2: How Student Will Demonstrate Content Knowledge
- Report or poster on climate, diet and social structure
- Quiz on Southwest region
- Native American shelter project
- Quiz on Plains region
Column 3: How Student Will Prepare for the Assignments (Student input required)
- Research using the computer to find pictures that demonstrate the climate, pictures of the food that was commonly eaten by the peoples in the region, and research information to write about the social structure.
- Make a study guide by taking notes in the classroom, and commit to reviewing notes at home nightly.
- Choose a dwelling/shelter common to the Northeast Woodlands and use a picture from the Internet as a guide, make a list of materials, make the model and write a description of the dwelling and why it was the chosen style of this region.
- Make a study guide by taking notes in the classroom, and commit to reviewing notes at home nightly.
Columns 4, 5 and 6: Due Dates, Evaluation and Sign-Off
A learning contract will need to include timeframes and due dates for each goal, as well as a place for the teacher to write an evaluation and sign off that the student has successfully completed the unit. In our example learning contract, assign a due date for the project or quiz in each of the four Native American regions that will be studied in the classroom. Then provide spaces for the teacher evaluation/comments and sign-off/signature.
Sample Learning Contract – Improving Study Habits, Social and Behavior Skills
The above example of a learning contract can be adapted to address general learning, such as study skills, memory, or any other area of competency that a student with ADHD or learning disabilities may want to improve upon. Many students with ADHD, for instance, have difficulty with time management. To learn how to manage time better, a student and teacher can draft a learning contract that will outline a plan to improve this skill.
When working on behavior issues and social skills, using a learning contract will also be quite helpful. In the case of behavior, the learning contract becomes more of a behavior contract. Discover other techniques on how to help manage behavior and improve social skills in the classroom by reading Managing ADHD Behavior at School and Ten Ways to Improve Social Skills.
Effective teaching of students with learning disabilities and ADHD starts with differentiating the instruction so these students can use their specific strengths to learn. Doing this is not always easy. To make it so, teachers can use learning contracts. The sample learning contract above can provide the starting point for a teacher who has a student with special needs in her classroom.
Karen Plumley - Karen Plumley is a writer specializing in parenting and education. She works for Parenting NH and the Hippo, NH's most widely read ...
