The Inclusive Class

Often when discussing special education and inclusion the focus remains on educating, justifiably so too. However, the social aspect to an inclusive classroom also stands out as an important aspect. You may recall me talking with The Inclusive Class Podcast hosts Nicole Eredics and Terri Mauro on this very topic back in September. Here’s a link to refresh your memory, Growing Up with Inclusive Education . Now back to today. Nicole offered me the privilege to provide a guest post for The Inclusive Class blog, which I eagerly accepted. I plan to use the opportunity to share three tips designed to help students with disabilities thrive socially inside inclusive classrooms. Enjoy! Tip #1- Embrace Others’ Outgoingness My mild case of spastic cerebral palsy led me to develop a shy personality growing up. As my teenage memoir Off Balanced   documents, initiating social interaction pretty much terrified me. I felt ashamed about my disability and just wanted to bl...

"Over, under, around or through find a way, or make a way" is a quote by Paula Kluth that recently reminded me of how I found ways to include all my students in a classroom activity, regardless of their ability level. I want to share one of the most successful ways that I used as a classroom teacher to facilitate inclusion.  In order to have students aquire the same learning experiences, teachers have to be prepared for the differences in their student's abilities and learning styles. This technique is known as "differentiation".  Differentiation can be created by making changes. Changes can take place in many ways in the classroom, depending on the student's needs, teacher's level of knowledge and support of school personnel. Big or little, however, change can make a difference in how students with special needs are included in the classroom. Here are 10 easy changes teachers can make to facilitate inclusion: Time - chan...