The Inclusive Class

I f y ou have seen or worked in an inclusive classroom, you will know inclusion makes a difference to everyone in the classroom. For people who aren't familiar with inclusion, they may be surprised to learn the numerous academic, social and physical benefits to inclusive education. These benefits have been proven through years of research.  If you would like to know what the research says, here is a helpful list of reputable websites that have complied years of studies supporting inclusive education.  1.   The National Catholic Board on Full Inclusion has put together an extensive list of research on the benefits of inclusion for all students particularly students with Intellectual Disabilities. At last glance, there were over 40 studies listed. Each study is linked to a source with a full description and more information. 2.   The Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education has a document called, Inclusion Works ! In it, the MCIE has outlined why ...

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Here are some supplies guaranteed to make your classroom inclusive! They are available from Lakeshore Learning and Target ! 1.   Colored Overlays - help lift words off the page for kids who struggle to read or have attention issues. 2.  Number Lines - always handy for learning numbers, adding, subtracting, skip-counting and decimals.  3.   Visual Timer - timers help kids manage their work and keep them on track. Helps with transitions as well! 4.   Color Coded Bins/Folders - this can be used in many ways such as organizing folders, homework, and reading groups and differentiated instruction.  5.   Games - games help bring kids together, learn and develop social skills. Keep a variety of board, card and dice games on hand! 6.   Highlighters - very handy for making adaptations for students, focussing skills, learning and keeping organzied. 

Teachers, by far, set the tone in a classroom and school. By using phrases such as, “You need to try harder.”, “What’s wrong with you?” and “Why can’t you listen to instructions?”, an air of disrespect, resentment and a drop in student motivation can occur. So, I thought it could be helpful to post a list of classroom rules for  teachers instead of the students. Why not? Sometimes adults need reminders about their behavior as well! Here a few not-so-serious (but, they could be serious) rules teachers can follow: 1. Use an “indoor voice” when speaking to the class. Yelling, shouting and screaming inside  is best used when watching your favorite football team play a game on tv. 2. Be kind to others. Use “Please” and “Thank-you” often. Be courteous and model kindness. 3. Walk in the Classroom. Move around and help kids with their work, monitor behavior or answer a question. Be available and mobile. 4. Be a good listener. Listen to your students. Listen if a ...

Research and experience has told us that having social skills is essential for success in life. Inclusive teachers have always taught, provided and reinforced the use of good social skills in order to include and accommodate for the wide range of students in the classroom.  Essentially, inclusive classrooms are representations of the real world where people of all backgrounds and abilities co-exsist. In fact, there are school disctricts with curriculum specifically for social and emotional development. You can learn more about inclusion and teaching strategies in the inclusive classroom in my latest book, Inclusion in Action: Practical Strategies to Modify Your Curriculum . I am also available for school training sessions, professional development, and conference presentations (in-person and virtual) which are ideal for parents, teachers, administrators, specialists, and paraprofessionals. In the meantime, here are some ways in which you can create a more inclusive clas...

The end of the school year can make you feel like you've reached the end of a long marathon. However, before you cross the finish line, take these steps to ensure a smooth start after summer break! 1.  Find out who your child’s teacher will be for the next school year before the summer break. 2.  Meet with next year’s teacher, preferably before the current school year ends. Introduce your child and ask for a tour of the classroom. (If your child is new to the school, ask if you can see the rest of the building. Don’t forget to check out the playground!) You might also be able to meet with new support staff as well. 3.  Bring a camera during your meeting and ask to take photos of the new classroom, teacher and surroundings. 4.  Ask if any of your child’s friends will be in the same class. Try to maintain friendships through the summer break. 5.  There are many books and computer applications for children that tell social stories. Provide your child ...

Here is a quick way to modify a math sheet for students working below grade-level! 

Parents may face many challenges when exploring education options in the American  public school  system — especially if they have a child with special needs.  For example, how do parents find an education setting that best fits their child’s specific needs? Will the supports they’re seeking for their child be provided by the school? And if not, how do parents advocate for a more suitable placement? Searching for the right education setting for a child with a disability can be challenging, but it’s most effective with research and understanding a few key advocacy strategies. What Is Inclusive Education? Years of research and experience  tell us that  inclusive education  — the practice of educating children of all abilities in one classroom — is the gold standard. Many  schools , however, still have classrooms where children with  disabilities  are educated separately from the rest of the student population. The  Individuals wit...

Traditionally,  public schools  in America have educated  students with disabilities  separately from those without.  In the past, this meant that students with special needs were sequestered in their own classrooms because educators believed that they were better served away from their typically-developing peers. As awareness of equal rights for the disability community has grown, an emerging body of research has lent support to a new approach to teaching, known as inclusive education.  Inclusive education is reforming the way we engage and teach today’s students. It reflects the diversity of the larger world and recognizes that all children, regardless of ability, deserve equal educational opportunities. The inclusion of students with special needs in general education classrooms is quickly proving to be a highly effective model for  all children. Related:  "What Are the Main Differences Between Inclusion and Special Education Classroom...

Here is an example of a modified multiplication worksheet!  No extra, time-consuming work needed - just a few quick alterations and away you go!  Go here for more examples of modified work!

I am passionate about inclusive education and love to share what I’ve learned over the past 20 years as an inclusion teacher, parent, advocate, writer and speaker.   If you are eager to learn what inclusive education is, how to successfully include students with special needs in your classroom, advocate for inclusion or find resources, then we need to connect! There are several ways in which I can help you achieve your goals for inclusion. I have listed them below: 1.   Writing Services:    I have written dozens of articles about inclusive education for my own blog in addition to other educational sites such as ASCD, The Friendship Circle of Michigan, Ollibean and Noodle.   2.   Webinar Presentations:   I love to organize and present webinars. I helped organize a highly successful webinar series with Brookes Publishing, presented a webinar for the Great Public Schools Network and most recently, Lekotek. My webinars are informative...

Executive Function is a term given to a variety of cognitive processes (organization, working memory, ability to initiate tasks, switch focus or manage one's behavior) that allow students to learn and achieve goals. For some students, however, their level of executive function may interfere with their ability to succeed in school. Thankfully, teachers are beginning to recognize the need to develop a child's executive functioning skills rather than label the child, "lazy" or  an "underachiever". To support the development of executive functioning skills, I have created a list of 10 simple tools that teachers can use or have in the classroom. Please keep in mind, that students may require the teacher to explain and model the use of each tool. In addition, on-going adult support could be needed to support the successful use of each tool. 1.   Timer - a timer can be used to help students in a variety of ways. It can be used to help a student initiate...