"Close your math folder and put it away." "No!" Within seconds, instruction has stopped, the classmates are all watching, and something that began as a short request has evolved into a full-blown standoff. Most educators have been in such situations, and it's pretty easy
Your outfit can help you during the School Day... or make it much harder. Imagine this: You begin your day leading circle time and spend the next hour kneeling beside a young learner during literacy instruction. Later on, you help clean up paint spills before lunch, supervise recess, attend an
If you walk into any special education classroom, you will quickly see something interesting. One student calms down immediately once he hears a familiar song begin. Another who never really speaks much lights up when she starts painting. A third student can clearly express emotions through colours even when she
Preparing students for adult life is about far more than teaching academic content. Many students who receive special education services also require direct instruction in the practical routines needed to navigate daily life with increased confidence. Skills like maintaining personal hygiene, preparing meals, managing money, using transportation, maintaining a home,
Think about a student who can properly retell every tiny detail of a story you just read to her, yet becomes totally blank when asked to read the same story all by herself. Another student refuses to read altogether, takes twice as long as her friends to decipher unfamiliar words,
If you've worked in special education for any length of time, you've likely encountered phrases that sound convincing but aren't necessarily accurate. "IEP students should just stay in a separate classroom." "Accommodations are about making it easier." "Progress monitoring
A typical math lesson is moving along smoothly when a student suddenly knocks books and pencils onto the floor. A few minutes later, another student kicks a paraprofessional during a transition. At the same time, a child escapes through the door because she can’t stand the hallway noise. For
An SLP records a student at 85% accuracy on an articulation goal. A paraprofessional logs 60% later that week. The special education teacher reports that the student is nearly independent. Same student. Same goal. Three very different data points. So what happened? Was someone collecting data incorrectly? Not necessarily. Such
A student loses their planner for the third time this month. Another starts every assignment but finishes none. Someone else knows the answer but blurts it out before the question is even finished! If you've worked with students with ADHD, you've probably seen all these scenarios
Challenging behaviours can seem pretty loud. A student suddenly stops participating. They push their work away, put their head down, or walk away from the activity. The lesson is interrupted, the teacher steps in, and everyone is left wondering what triggered the reaction. However, for a student with autism, behaviour
Self-contained or inclusion? At first glance, it can sound like a relatively easy either-or decision. In real IEP meetings, however, it is rarely that neat. One student may need quiet space, more repetition during instruction, and close support to wrap up reading tasks. Another may benefit from longer time to
What “Inclusive Classrooms” Really Mean 'Inclusive classrooms' are classrooms where students with and without disabilities learn together and receive the supports they need to actively interact in their instructional environment (with routines, resources and peers). Inclusion is not just about placement. A student may be sitting in the