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    6 Strategies For Teaching Special Education Classes

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    joel dizon
    The document discusses six strategies for effectively teaching special education classes: 1) Forming small groups based on skill level, 2) Creating classroom centers focused on different skills, 3) Blending basic instruction with more specialized individual instruction, 4) Rotating lessons among groups and centers, 5) Using thematic instruction to tie different subjects together, and 6) Providing materials at different levels to suit each student's abilities. The strategies are meant to help teachers provide quality, individualized instruction to students with a wide range of skills in one classroom.

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    6 Strategies For Teaching Special Education Classes

    Uploaded by

    joel dizon
    81 views2 pages
    The document discusses six strategies for effectively teaching special education classes: 1) Forming small groups based on skill level, 2) Creating classroom centers focused on different skills, 3) Blending basic instruction with more specialized individual instruction, 4) Rotating lessons among groups and centers, 5) Using thematic instruction to tie different subjects together, and 6) Providing materials at different levels to suit each student's abilities. The strategies are meant to help teachers provide quality, individualized instruction to students with a wide range of skills in one classroom.

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    Teaching special education

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    6 Strategies for Teaching Special Education Classes

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    The document discusses six strategies for effectively teaching special education classes: 1) Forming small groups based on skill level, 2) Creating classroom centers focused on different skills, 3) Blending basic instruction with more specialized individual instruction, 4) Rotating lessons among groups and centers, 5) Using thematic instruction to tie different subjects together, and 6) Providing materials at different levels to suit each student's abilities. The strategies are meant to help teachers provide quality, individualized instruction to students with a wide range of skills in one classroom.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    81 views2 pages

    6 Strategies For Teaching Special Education Classes

    Uploaded by

    joel dizon
    The document discusses six strategies for effectively teaching special education classes: 1) Forming small groups based on skill level, 2) Creating classroom centers focused on different skills, 3) Blending basic instruction with more specialized individual instruction, 4) Rotating lessons among groups and centers, 5) Using thematic instruction to tie different subjects together, and 6) Providing materials at different levels to suit each student's abilities. The strategies are meant to help teachers provide quality, individualized instruction to students with a wide range of skills in one classroom.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 2

    Six Strategies for Teaching Special Education Classes

    Special education classes provide a unique service to physically or mentally challenged


    students. The ideal special education classroom provides quality instruction to students with
    disabilities. While the push in education these days seems to be toward online education and
    the inclusion of special education students within mainstream classrooms, special education
    classes are still needed for more severely disabled students. The purpose of the special ed
    classroom setting is to provide more intensive, individualized attention to the students who most
    need it.
    However, even in special education classroom settings there can be a wide a range of skill
    levels and abilities. How can teachers provide quality instruction to all students? Here are some
    strategies that special education teachers can use to benefit all of their students:
    1. Form small groups
    Forming small groups of two or three students within the class grouped according to their level
    can help with personalizing the teaching while not sacrificing class instruction time. For
    example, in math class, one group could be working on the basics while a more advanced
    group could be working on their geometry skills. Students would be grouped together according
    to similar skill levels and objectives along their education pathway.
    2. Create classroom centers
    Classroom centers are another effective way students can be grouped. Each center would
    specialize in one area or level. The centers would be self-contained in terms of instructions and
    all lesson materials. They would also be somewhat self-explanatory and self-guided to allow the
    teacher to rotate among the different centers and provide appropriate guidance. A teaching
    assistant, parent or volunteer could help facilitate the groups. Such centers would strike a
    balance between being self-explanatory, without totally giving up more direct teacher time.
    3. Blend ‘the Basics’ with more specialized instruction
    Still another way of instructing multiple levels of students is to teach general concepts to the
    whole group while pairing it with individual instruction. Since every school subject has some
    general concepts that could be relevant, individual students can benefit from this no matter what
    their level of proficiency.
    Reading comprehension strategies, the basics of math, organizing writing ideas, or even a
    scientific theory are some examples of general concepts that could be taught to support what
    each student is learning in that area. Students can then apply this knowledge to their particular
    individual assignments. However, the teacher could always add some additional content for
    more advanced students.
    4. Rotate lessons
    Lessons within the different groups or centers could be rotated so that on any given day the
    teacher could introduce new material to one group, while only having to check in on others who
    are doing more independent activities. The teacher assistant could also be of service within
    such a lesson cycle.
    5. Try thematic instruction
    Thematic instruction is where a single theme is tied into multiple subject areas. This method of
    teaching has been shown to be very effective in special education classrooms. A “theme” could
    be anything from a current event, honing the skill of reading comprehension, a writing topic or a
    historical event. For example, a historical event could be tied into all other subjects. The theme
    should be attention-getting — something that will grab the students’ interest and keep them
    engaged.
    6. Provide different levels of books and materials
    Since there will be a variety of proficiency levels in the classroom, be sure to have different
    levels of textbooks and other teaching materials available for each subject. Having a range of
    levels on hand will ensure that each student can learn at the appropriate level. This minimizes
    frustration and maximizes confidence and forward momentum in the student.
    As you can see, teaching special education students effectively can be enhanced with some
    adjustments. Regardless of the severity of their disabilities, classes can be structured in a way
    that caters to the individual level of functioning.
    Doing so does not mean giving up quality personal instruction time. No matter what the content
    areas or variety of levels your students are working on, harmony and integration are possible.
    Strategies such as grouping, learning centers, rotating lessons, choosing class themes and
    having a flexible array of texts and materials can help teachers to provide ideal instruction and
    support within their special education classes.
    Tags: Special Education
    Effective Teaching Strategies for Special Education
    Working with short attention spans
     Set clear expectations for all students.
     Break assignments into smaller pieces to work on in short time periods.
     Space breaks between assignments so students can refocus on their tasks.
     Share ideas with parents so they can help with homework.
     Carry out everyday routines consistently.
     Develop a reward system for good behavior, completing work on time and participating in class.
     Use visual and auditory reminders to change from one activity to the next. This may need to be
    done several times before the change is made. An egg timer is a good auditory tool that
    indicates a signal to begin or end an activity.
    Managing constant change
    The science behind teaching special education students is not cut-and-dry, and the strategies
    that teachers develop for their classrooms shouldn’t be permanent—instead, think scalable and
    flexible.
     Design teaching aids and lessons that are flexible.
     Add creativity to lessons and homework.
     Develop easy-to-use monitoring tools that are needs-based.
     Design lesson plans that can be modified to fit each student.
     Develop a set of resources and interventions that work.
    Teaching effectively
    Being an effective teacher requires many tools, most of which you likely choose through trial
    and error. Effective teaching strategies include:
     Use a multiple-scenario approach to developing lesson plans.
     Monitor and verify student responses to lessons.
     Evaluate and adapt lessons as necessary.
     Use peers to review lesson plans and to develop ideas that might be applicable.
     Develop and maintain a pool of mentors.
     Keep a list of resources for teaching, lesson plans, and professional development.
     Set a professional development plan for yourself and track your goals.
     Develop or implement a system that allows for easy and comprehensive data collection to help
    monitor and adapt lessons.
     Gather some tricks of the trade from fellow teachers, including those who do not teach special
    education.
    For more ideas, printables, and reading materials, check out TeacherVision’s resources for
    teachers of special needs students; we love the wealth of information and advice on their site.

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