Grading lesson plans, I'm reminded just how much the traditional teaching strategies my students grew up with are actually designed to leave struggling learners behind.

For example:

Asking "Who knows..." and then calling on students that raise their hand.

Engaging in a discussion in which only a few students participate.

Having select students come to the board while everyone else sits and watches.

Waiting for students to ask for help, instead of actively monitoring progress and providing positive and corrective feedback.

Asking students to preform a task before you've actually modeled and engaged with them in guided practice.

Using work done in independent practice and guided practice as assessment

Using group work as an assessment of individual skill

Conducting a discussion without a mechanism to ensure all students are engaged.

This is just a sample of strategies that enable struggling learners to avoid active participation.