Problem+Statement


 * Students with Learning Disabilities have experience difficulty making use of independent practice, which is typically unstructured classroom time.
 * "Sometimes teachers are reluctant to use reading as independent work beacause they are convinced their students "won't just sit there and read!""
 * Cunningham, 1991
 * "From an instructional perspective, the purpose of seatwork is to give students an opportunity to practice skills, synthesize and apply new knowledge, and develop independent work habits (such as leaning to pace themselves and to check their work). Seatwork can also serve as a diagnostic tool for the teacher, providing a check on students' understanding. From a management perspective, the purpose of seatwork is to keep students involved for a predictable period of time in quiet tasks that do not require close teacher supervision."
 * Chilcoat, 1990
 * "Research has shown that elementary school students spend nearly half their time working independently on seatwork or independent work activities."
 * Jones and Jones, 1986
 * "Although the amount of independent work in secondary schools may be somewhat less, it is still a significant portion of the school day."
 * Savage 1999
 * Since independent practice is part of the majority of the school day it is important that the teacher models the desired behaviors, working conditions and directions, "Modeling prompts consists of demonstrating part or all of the desired behavior to the student who imitates or repeats the action immediately."
 * Zirpoli 2008