Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms Welcome to SED 776 Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms (aka…How to be a superhero for your students)

Plan for the day. . . Welcome and Introductions Where is this class going? Policy/practice, exceptional students, strategies in the classroom What is Inclusion? Person First Language Create collaboration pairs, meet in “breakout rooms,” return to group Conclusion

Membership in the SIT (superhero in training) Name Placement Your content area Your superhero Your superpower Create a Word doc Add to your profile Everyone makes a word doc answering these Q while each person takes a turn using the mic and camera to give a brief hello – with something unusual about yourself, if you’d like. Save Word doc. Show my profile as ex of adding to your class profile.

What is Inclusion? What does it mean to you? A philosophy – Separate is not equal An honoring of the talents and contributions of each person A dual process Teaching students skills and strategies Changing environments and attitudes Take a minute to think.

Benefits of Inclusion For students with disabilities: Greater access to the state standards Develop friendships and support systems Improves self-esteem and self-dignity Increased connection with school and peers leads to decreased drop out. Improved outcomes For students without disabilities: Improved sense of social justice Stronger community connections Increased awareness on ability

Teacher Beliefs that Lead to Successful Inclusion Belief that all students can learn. Belief all students can make meaningful contribution to the academic content of the course. Belief that the classroom community is richer because of diversity. Desire to collaborate to meet students needs.

What is the opposite of inclusion? ???? What is the opposite of inclusion?

Taking Care of Business Class format Moodle tour Top of class site always visible with resources: syllabus etc. Each week visible on Friday Can collapse previous weeks Description of Assignments document Week 1 navigation Upload profile notes as Word doc All Word docs need header of name & date

Person First Language What’s the big deal? Flyer/Reading Commit to self-correction Aimee Mullins Video…Paired discussion The “R” word The R word The new "R" word "people look at you"

“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.” Mark Twain

Break!

The success of our learning community relies on our collaborative connections

Collaboration Pairs – rationale Collaboration is a valuable skill in our professional world Being able to share ideas, give input and receive feedback will support your learning in this class and in your future teaching experiences

Collaboration Pairs – How to Throughout the semester you will be asked to collaborate (long distance) with another class member Communicate with others electronically or in person to decide who will be your partner Please choose among yourselves during this week Upload your partner’s name in the slot provided on Moodle in Week 2 Guide

Collaboration Pairs - suggestions Ideally, it will be someone in your same or related content area Think about choosing someone you don’t all ready know Collaboration is a valuable skill in our professional world Being able to share ideas, give input and receive feedback will support your learning in this class

Breakout rooms Groups of 2 – 3 of same or related content area will be put into break out rooms Speak with one another 5 minutes Discuss your interests, location, placement details (grade, type of school, etc.) Discuss Person-First Language Practice (word doc) I will bring you back when timer ends

Summary Commit to language that maintains dignity Start to notice limitations we put on others

Looking ahead….The Structure of SPED and 504’s Next week Asynchronous Week will open on Friday Always start by reading the Weekly Guide First Post due Wednesday Complete all the activities listed in the Weekly Guide by Sunday Night. First entry Strategies Notebook ”due due Sunday Night