Middle school can be a critical juncture for students who struggle with reading comprehension. Teachers who use instructional strategies that help struggling readers "get" the material can make the difference in whether those students fall behind. Here are a couple of strategies you can incorporate to ensure your struggling readers absorb and retain the content you are covering along with the rest of their classmates. Read More
As teachers are educating their students, they're also educating themselves on how best to achieve the Common Core State Standards. The Common Core standards are written to guide teachers in what to teach–the knowledge and skills considered important for success in college and careers–but not how to teach. CCSS does provide guidance to teachers of students with disabilities. See how providing instructional supports based on the principles of universal design for learning (UDL) boosts the engagement of all learners–not just students with significant learning needs–and helps everyone achieve the high expectations of Common Core. Read More
You may not have a student diagnosed with a disability in your class, but that doesn't mean some of your students don't share some of the same learning difficulties. Try incorporating these techniques designed for students with disabilities. You may end up clearing roadblocks to learning you didn't even realize were standing in your students' way! See the tips in the article and make sure you get your free downloads. Read More
Working for children with disabilities to be educated alongside their peers can be a challenge. Inclusion facilitators often run into resistance as a result of a lack of understanding, training, or other resources needed to implement inclusion effectively. Cheryl Jorgensen, co-author of The Inclusion Facilitator's Guide, outlines 10 promising practices you can promote to encourage inclusion in your schools. See how many you’ve already put into practice. Read More
Social ability may not be measured in high-stakes testing, but it does have a significant impact on student behavior and learning. Schools that implement instructional approaches designed to enhance social interaction–such as peer tutoring and cooperative learning–have discovered unexpected benefits in both the classroom environment and student achievement. Consider the importance of social development, particularly on students with disabilities, to make an argument for social skills support at your school. Read More
Today's classrooms have changed significantly since many educators received their formal training. As inclusive classrooms become the norm, many teachers are hungry for insights that will help them ensure students with various abilities make strides individually while their classes progress as a whole. Here are five fresh approaches you can apply to create successful inclusive classrooms. Read More
Math matters. Whether you're making change in your first job as a cashier, calculating a household budget, or attempting to negotiate the national debt ceiling, solid math skills are key. As math achievement gains greater focus on the national stage and in the classroom, teachers are seeking ways to help their students who struggle with math. Here are 6 downloads of free insights and strategies you can use to help those students succeed. Read More
If you could return from your break to have one wish fulfilled, what would it be? For many teachers, demonstrating real progress on the question of inclusion would be high on their list. What will it take to meet mandates and produce a more positive and productive atmosphere for all your students? Click on any of the gift boxes to find special tips designed to help you make your inclusion wishes come true. Read More
These 10 simple ideas will aid teachers in addressing some of the unique learning, social, and communication needs of students with autism while bringing out the best in all learners in their classroom at the same time. Read More
Let's say you want to start a peer support program at your school that you're certain will improve the academic and social skills of students with disabilities. You've seen it work elsewhere, but will that be enough to get your colleagues on board? Not necessarily. Your chances of persuading them will improve if you demonstrate benefits that extend beyond the students alone. Show them how using peer supports actually improves the skills of student peers, helps teachers better manage their classroom, and helps administrators meet mandates by bettering performance numbers for students with and without disabilities. Learn about the far-reaching benefits of peer supports and be sure to get your free list for educators and paraprofessionals of strategies for fostering peer interaction. Read More
