Inclusion and Teaching in Chicago

We're onto support number 7 which means we are halfway through my support a day! There are only SEVEN days left of students and then it's summer time (after a respectable number of teacher institute and professional development days, of course). I'm feeling antsy. The students are squirrely. Let's focus on a support that's perfect for times like this. Ladies and gentlemen of the Internet, I give you alternative seating! Can you spot the purple cushion ? What I love about Leslie and Mahli's classroom is that they are so comfortable with alternative seating that the third grader's focus is not on the fidget or cushion but on the book they are reading. You can incorporate sensory movement with alternative seating. One idea is to have a student carry the yoga ball up the stairs to their classroom. It can be an enjoyable way to get some heavy lifting in and bring up a student's favorite seat. Also, check out that blue cup at the corner of ...

One of the first things we hear and talk about in the inclusive classroom is supporting students by using fidgets. Fidgets are those items that allow restless (fidgety??) students to move and get their sensory needs met without distracting their peers or becoming completely distracted themselves by needing to move. To get more information about figets: Read this excerpt about fidget bags from Paula Kluth and Sheila Danaher's book.   Watch Paula's amazing video about fidgets. Read this article on fidgets and ADD. In middle school and the upper grades, I am all about introducing the fidget individually, slowly, and academically. 1. First, broach the subject of fidgets individually. I had one student in mind who mentioned that she felt the most calm when she was able to squeeze and run her fingers through something. We went online and she choose this one.     2. When it arrived, I showed her one on one how to use the fidget. 3. I gave her 30 minutes to practi...