Professional Development Strategies for the Inclusion Classroom

Inclusion Classrooms

Inclusion classrooms benefit children of all ages, races, gender, disabilities, and abilities. Teach students with and without exceptionalitiesHelp meet the needs of all individuals Treat all students equal

Strategies for an Inclusion Classroom

Creating expectations for personal and social behaviorSupporting and promoting social skills for all studentsCreating activities that encourage active participationCreating an environment that supports positive intercultural and intracultural experiencesIncorporating collaborative groups and project-based learning activities to promote self-determination and self-advocacy

Expectations for Personal and Social Behavior of Exceptional Students

Supporting and promoting social skills for individuals with exceptionalities

Create a positive classroom environment Discuss, model and reward positive behavior dailyIncorporate group activitiesStructured leisure time (play board games)Encourage students to respect each others personal space, use manners, and take turnsTeach students to express their emotions in a safe and positive way

Strategies that encourage active participation for individuals with and without exceptionalities

Create lessons that are interactiveSMARTboard, games, hands-on activitiesUtilize multiple teaching strategies to engage all learnersIncorporate project-based and cooperative learning into lessons/activitiesCall on students during lessonsPractice Think, Pair, Share

Culture in the Classroom

Creating Learning Environments that support positive intracultural and intercultural experiences

Have students write and share stories Read books with culturally diverse characters, cultures, and holidays.Create opportunities for students to role playIncorporate materials from different cultures; (food, clothing, language, etc.)Be open-minded to a variety of different culturesHave students be respectful of each others differences

Collaborative Learning Activities to Help Students Practice Self Determination and Self Advocacy Skills

Given students opportunities to work together; problem solvingRole playThink, Pair, ShareWork on shared tasks (matching, sorting, ranking)Incorporate Choice Making

Project-Based Activities to Help Students Practice Self Determination and Self Advocacy Skills

Hold students responsible for their part of a group projectIncorporate choice making: how the project will be done, who will do which part). Have students decide!Create goals that are achievable and realisticThink, Pair, ShareUtilize technology (SMART board, computer, Radio, etc.)

References

Developing Classroom Expectations. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2018, from http://www.projectidealonline.org/v/developing-classroom- expectations/Promoting Positive Social Interactions in an Inclusion Setting for Students with Learning Disabilities. (n.d.). National Association of Special Education Teachers, 7, 1-11. Retrieved January 30, 2018, from http://faculty.uml.edu/darcus/01.505/NASET_social_inclusion.pdf10 Ways to Teach Social Skills in Your Classroom. (2015, August 05). Retrieved January 31, 2018, from http://www.theinclusiveclass.com/2015/08/10-ways-to-teach-social- skills-in-your.html