Making Accommodations for Diverse Learners EEX 3257 Week 4

What are accommodations? Changes made to accommodate the WAY students learn and/or HOW they are tested Changes made to accommodate the WAY students learn and/or HOW they are tested Techniques / support systems that help students with special needs Techniques / support systems that help students with special needs Legal requirements for students with disabilities Legal requirements for students with disabilities

What kind of problems might require accommodation? Organizing information meaningfully Organizing information meaningfully Relating new knowledge to old knowledge Relating new knowledge to old knowledge Remembering large quantities of info Remembering large quantities of info Breaking down complex concepts Breaking down complex concepts Understanding abstract concepts Understanding abstract concepts Analyzing to solve problems / draw conclusions Analyzing to solve problems / draw conclusions Motivation / seeing the importance of learning Motivation / seeing the importance of learning

Six Principles of Effective Instruction Focus on big ideas Focus on big ideas Use conspicuous strategies Use conspicuous strategies Use mediated scaffolding Use mediated scaffolding Make linkages obvious and explicit Make linkages obvious and explicit Activate prior knowledge Activate prior knowledge Review for fluency / generalization Review for fluency / generalization

What can you change? Input Input Instruction Instruction Materials Materials Output Output Participation Participation Assessment Assessment Rate Speed Amount Support Independent Group work

When should I make accommodations? Before Instruction Before Instruction During Instruction During Instruction After Instruction After Instruction

When should I make accommodations? (cont.) Before Instruction Before Instruction Planning in a different way Planning in a different way Graphic Organizers Graphic Organizers Highlight big ideas Highlight big ideas Connect ideas / concepts Connect ideas / concepts Thematic Instruction Thematic Instruction Combines content from different subject areas Combines content from different subject areas Can make essential ideas more apparent and meaningful Can make essential ideas more apparent and meaningful Projects Projects Provides flexibility Provides flexibility Allows for differentiation Allows for differentiation Grouping can vary Grouping can vary

When should I make accommodations? (cont.) During Instruction During Instruction Delivering instruction in a different way for different students Delivering instruction in a different way for different students Instructional methods Instructional methods Materials Materials

When should I make accommodations? (cont.) After Instruction After Instruction Review Review Assessment Assessment

What are some simple accommodations I can use? (cont.) Cover text so that only one portion shows at a time so it’s not overwhelming Cover text so that only one portion shows at a time so it’s not overwhelming Careful, simple, uncluttered worksheets Careful, simple, uncluttered worksheets Fold paper into sections for each response Fold paper into sections for each response Mark paper to show where to start/stop; use smaller paper / variety of mediums Mark paper to show where to start/stop; use smaller paper / variety of mediums Study carrels / partitions Study carrels / partitions Duplication of materials - home / school Duplication of materials - home / school Reduce length or give more time Reduce length or give more time

Last Thoughts... Don’t do it alone… Don’t do it alone… ESE teacher ESE teacher Speech / language / vision specialist Speech / language / vision specialist Guidance counselor Guidance counselor Parents Parents Students themselves Students themselves Reflect on your effort…it’s a JOURNEY Reflect on your effort…it’s a JOURNEY

References Chalmers, L. (1992). Modifying curriculum for the special needs student in the regular classroom. Moorehead, MN: Practical Press. Chalmers, L. (1992). Modifying curriculum for the special needs student in the regular classroom. Moorehead, MN: Practical Press. Florida Dept of Education (1999). Assisting students with disabilities: A guide for educators. Tallahassee, FL: Clearinghouse Information Center. Florida Dept of Education (1999). Assisting students with disabilities: A guide for educators. Tallahassee, FL: Clearinghouse Information Center. Kame’enui, E., et al. (2002). Effective teaching strategies that accommodate diverse learners. Columbus, OH: Merrill-Prentice Hall. Kame’enui, E., et al. (2002). Effective teaching strategies that accommodate diverse learners. Columbus, OH: Merrill-Prentice Hall. Wood, J. (2002). Adapting instruction to accommodate students in inclusive settings. Columbus, OH: Merrill-Prentice Hall. Wood, J. (2002). Adapting instruction to accommodate students in inclusive settings. Columbus, OH: Merrill-Prentice Hall.