Group Contingency is an evidence-based practice that offers teachers the opportunity to provide positive, targeted feedback that reinforces specific classroom expectations and routines. When implemented with fidelity, and supported by strong teacher-student relationships, it also fosters social cooperation and community as all students work toward a common goal. This practice builds a foundation for successful… Read More Effective Classroom Practices to Get Ready for the New School Year: #5 Building Community Through Feedback
Using Evidence-Based Math Strategies to Specially Design Instruction
When teaching students who have difficulties in mathematics, it is important to incorporate instructional practices that have been shown, through evidence, to improve outcomes. Three evidence-based strategies for mathematics instruction are visual representations, metacognitive strategies, and schema instruction. Visual Representations In order to develop every student’s mathematical proficiency, leaders and teachers must systematically integrate the… Read More Using Evidence-Based Math Strategies to Specially Design Instruction
Learning at Home: A Family’s Guide to Prompting
Prompts are necessary for ALL new learning. Whether learning at school, at home, or out in the community we all learn new skills with the use of prompts. TTAC ODU has a free downloadable guide that provides families with information on what prompts are, how to use them, and how to fade them. The guide… Read More Learning at Home: A Family’s Guide to Prompting
Spotlight on High-Leverage Practice 14: Teaching Cognitive and Metacognitive Strategies to Support Learning and Independence in Mathematics
Solving problems in context, also known as word problems or practical problems, is a challenge for students, especially students with disabilities. This is often because solving word problems requires students to read and understand the problem, identify relevant information, choose an appropriate strategy, solve the problem correctly, and ensure that the answer makes sense (Iris… Read More Spotlight on High-Leverage Practice 14: Teaching Cognitive and Metacognitive Strategies to Support Learning and Independence in Mathematics
Promoting Equity in Math through Classroom Discourse
The 2018 VDOE Mathematics SOL Institutes highlighted the importance of strengthening the teaching and learning of mathematics through facilitating meaningful mathematical discourse. Why Discourse? Mathematical conversations and discourse among students, at all grade and ability levels, helps build a shared understanding of mathematical ideas (NCTM, 2014). Meaningful discourse supports metacognition and teaches students how to… Read More Promoting Equity in Math through Classroom Discourse
Understanding and Using Reinforcement
Common Misconceptions Misconceptions about reinforcement including, “I don’t believe in bribing students” and “I’m not going to reward him for doing work he is just supposed to do” are common barriers to the use of reinforcement in the classroom. Developing a better understanding of the definition of reinforcement, the role it plays in everyone’s life,… Read More Understanding and Using Reinforcement
Evidence Based Instructional Practice-Why Conduct a Preference Assessment with My Students?
Often students with autism are not able to indicate their preferences and dislikes. Things that are reinforcing or rewarding for one student may be really unpleasant for another student. As teachers, we cannot assume that our favorite things and activities would also be preferred by others. Conducting a preference assessment is important and critical to… Read More Evidence Based Instructional Practice-Why Conduct a Preference Assessment with My Students?
