In the spirit of inclusive practices, let’s consider an instructional strategy that not only works well for students with intellectual disabilities, but for all learners. The school day is full of opportunities for students to make meaningful choices. We can give our students options for how to get new information or ways to demonstrate what has… Read More Increase Engagement by Giving Students More Choices
Looking for a Blended Learning Model Using Virtual Learning Activities?
Are you looking for a teaching approach that can increase learning opportunities at home? One that is easy for students and their families to access, provides instruction using virtual learning activities while it increases opportunities for engagement in the classroom. How about an approach that may work well with a reduced student capacity scenario? As… Read More Looking for a Blended Learning Model Using Virtual Learning Activities?
Exposing the Truth About On-Task Behavior
Promoting on-task behavior by students with intellectual disabilities may seem like an important skill, but is it really enough? Simply put- No! While definitions of being on-task might vary, the common notion is that students should sit still, make eye contact, and respond to a teacher’s requests. A variety of contemporary research offers various labels… Read More Exposing the Truth About On-Task Behavior
Effective Vocabulary Instruction that Increases Reading Comprehension
Semantic gradients is a group of related words placed on a continuum that allows students to make connections between known words and new vocabulary. Reading Rockets has fun and engaging activities that help students deepen their understanding of related words. Research states that vocabulary instruction is an essential skill that students need to improve reading… Read More Effective Vocabulary Instruction that Increases Reading Comprehension
Achieving Positive Outcomes through Meaningful Instruction
Developing children’s interests during the preschool years is particularly important so that they learn to extend their ability to focus and maintain attention at an early age. Planning for children to spend sustained time with focused content and prioritizing the quality of learning experiences over the quantity of topics covered, is recognized as a developmentally… Read More Achieving Positive Outcomes through Meaningful Instruction
Preparing for the New School Year: Pulling it Together with Instructional Planning
“How can we set up an environment that makes it more likely that students will succeed?” ?” “How can we choose the correct research-based strategies to use in the classroom?” With so many resources and so little time available, it may be helpful to have a reference to consider data-based decision making and planning. … Read More Preparing for the New School Year: Pulling it Together with Instructional Planning
Tactics For Your Toolkit: Using A Zone Defense In Preschool
A zone defense is commonly associated with basketball and refers to players being responsible for covering specific areas of the court, versus a man-to-man defense where they are responsible for specific opponents. Preschool teachers and paraprofessionals, who are responsible for many children at once, can apply a similar zone approach in the classroom. The various… Read More Tactics For Your Toolkit: Using A Zone Defense In Preschool