Giving support to students

Teachers can make a meaningful difference in times of grief by establishing a supportive connection with students. Learn several steps that teachers can take when a school is reacting to a death in the community. Read More

Language-focused learning activities

Read the excerpt from Academic Vocabulary for Middle School Students and view a sample language-focused learning activity. This activity explains and utilizes the Frayer Model to assist students in learning the spelling, grammatical, and morphological features of academic words in addition to their meanings. Read More

How children understand death

This chapter explains four basic concepts of death that are necessary for a child or adult to fully grieve and come to terms with death. Teachers can talk with students to discover whether they need help understanding these four concepts. Read More

Leading inclusive school reform

This chapter describes a seven-step process for providing inclusive services to meet the needs of students with disabilities and eliminating pull-out services. The authors recommend that a leadership team of general educators, special educators, school administrators, and other staff implement the steps. Read More

Implementing Peer Supports in the Classroom

This brief chapter excerpt from Peer Support Strategies for Improving All Students' Social Lives and Learning focuses on supporting students with and without disabilities as they work together within the context of peer support arrangements. Read More

Literacy for students with significant disabilities

In this chapter excerpt, get answers to common questions about literacy instruction for students with severe disabilities, like "My student's congition is so low--where do I begin?" and "How can I teach my student to read when he can't even hold a pencil?" Read More

Difference Between Targeted and Universal Supports

In this excerpt from the introductory chapter of The Teacher's Pocket Guide for Positive Behavior Supports, the authors explain what targted supports are and how they differ from universal supports. This engaging pocketguide is a must-have for both aspiring and veteran teachers. Read More

Differentiate Instruction with First/Then Boards

A First/Then Board is a mini-schedule that is portable and can be used to provide more choices to a student or to reinforce simple instructions. Check out this excerpt from Paula Kluth and Sheila Danaher's From Tutor Scripts to Talking Sticks to find out how to create your own! Read More

Differentiate Instruction with Purposeful Puzzles

This chapter explains how to implement purposeful puzzles, a helpful Differentiated Instruction support for students who might fidget a lot during class or need to be “doing something” when they are listening or participating in a classroom discussion. Read More

Early intervention and AAC

Read the excerpt and learn about the importance of early intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorders. This excerpt illustrates situations in which AACs should be used, as well as common misconceptions about ASDs and AAC. Read More