On January 18, 2023, T-TAC ODU hosted The VESOL Alliance at the Newport News Marriott. This unique professional learning event offered a range of high-interest sessions and free resources to over 80 attendees from across regions 2 & 3. Our expert presenters shared VESOL-referenced lesson plans that can be used to engage learners of all ages. If you were not able… Read More Innovative Strategies for VESOL Instruction
Sending Schoolwork Remotely
Now more than ever it is the teacher’s responsibility to get schoolwork to students remotely. How are teachers making this happen? Are assignments being emailed to students and/or parents? Are teachers using a Learning Management System (LMS) or a Google Classroom site to share work? If getting schoolwork to students remotely is a problem, consider… Read More Sending Schoolwork Remotely
Virtual Learning for Students with Significant Disabilities
We’ve heard that teachers will need to develop virtual learning activities! Our specialists have developed a list of resources that we hope can help you. Looking for leveled reading? Try these free resources for teachers: Epic! Newsela Are you using Tar Heel Reader? Need a tip for how to share selected books with your students? Create… Read More Virtual Learning for Students with Significant Disabilities
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
Rekenrek? What the Heck??
The TechKnowledgy Conference in April 2019 introduced many creative technology-based strategies to help students become successful learners. Beth Poss gave a wonderful session, Accessible Mathematics for Early Learners. This session reviewed accessible math manipulatives to help students build a foundation for mathematical thinking. One manipulative resource Beth introduced to the group was the Rekenrek. A Rekenrek is an arithmetic or… Read More Rekenrek? What the Heck??
Summer PD From the Comfort of Your Home
Quality literacy instruction is essential for all students. As many students with intellectual disabilities may read and write below grade level, finding meaningful professional development and curriculum resources can prove challenging. The key is to remember that we must provide instruction at a student’s developmental level. As such, consider the following resources from the perspective… Read More Summer PD From the Comfort of Your Home
Writing Across the Content Areas
It is important for students to have daily opportunities to write. According to Koppenhaver and Erickson (2007), students should write at least four days a week, otherwise they won’t learn to like writing. Infrequent opportunities to write suggests to kids that writing is difficult and not fun. This may be especially true for emergent writers,… Read More Writing Across the Content Areas