Inclusion and Teaching in Chicago

I've already talked a little bit about this topic right here but it's important enough that I think I should go into a little more detail. It can feel really scary for teachers to have students with a variety of needs in a classroom with just one teacher. How do teachers make sure that all students are able to access the curriculum? I understand this fear. As teachers we strive to meet the needs and challenge all students. Dear hard working teachers, here is my solution... 1. Plan Ahead and Plan Together It is important for both teachers to be aware of the class objectives, lessons, and what students are doing. This is just as true when there is only one teacher present during the class period. The learning specialist needs to have a strong handle on what is happening in the classroom in order to ensure accommodations, modifications, and student strengths are being considered. I've posted these before, but it bears repeating. This one pager from KU helps teachers

I have been obsessed with Ms. Houser's amazing blog post about the role of the instructional coach during the first few weeks of school . The school year is starting in two short weeks (HOORAY and also YIKES) and I've begun to think about my own start of the school year when I was a learning specialist (I'll be using Special Education teachers and Learning Specialists interchangeably here). When students with and without disabilities are separated, the professionals that teach all these students are also separated. They set up their classrooms and plan for the first days of school in isolation. This is not the case for co-teachers. Below is my break-down for how special education co-teachers can prepare for their year. Set Up Your Space The physical space for learning specialists differs from school to school or even teacher to teacher. Last year, we had teachers that shared a room with their co-teachers and other that had a separate office that they shared with other le

Best Blog: Brenda's inclusion blog (entitled In-kloo-zhuhn) is my best find of the summer. I like it because she uses research to back up every claim and idea. Her  blog post on how to provide access for all students is beyond fantastic.  She explains both why all students should be included in instruction and how. I didn't know there were other Inclusion Facilitators out there blogging and to make things even more fantastic, Brenda's from Canada which is where I'm originally from. The coolest! Best Video: This cute, animated video  about inclusion makes the giant, neon wheels inside my head spin around. It could be used with both educators and students. I could incorporate this into this year's Unique Week ! Runner-Up Best Video: This video shows actual footage on how to support all students in a fully inclusive pre-school classroom. Best Blog for Coaches: Ms. Houser is an instructional coach and provides heaps of tools and advice for her fellow coache