Teachers’ grouping practices during reading instruction can serve as a critical component in facilitating effective implementation of reading instruction and inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classes. In this article, we provide an overview of the recent research on grouping practices (whole class, small group, pairs, one-on-one) during reading instruction for students with disabilities.
Peer interactions can greatly benefit a student’s understanding of mathematical concepts. To facilitate peer collaboration, teachers should pair students carefully, model effective ways to interact, provide students with relevant tools, and offer specific and differentiated advice. Struggling students may find it especially helpful to interact with peers who can provide explanations, clarify a process, and ask and answer questions.
This month our mentor teacher is Jane Quenneville, an assistive technology specialist for the Virginia Beach City Public Schools in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Jane, was most recently chosen as teacher of the year for the Special Education Annex, an itinerant group of professionals who serve students with disabilities. Jane began her career as an occupational therapist.
It all started with one student who wanted to know how his accommodation of extra time was going to help if he did not know how to study for the test. This simple question led to great things at Louisburg College where, like other colleges/universities, legally mandated accommodations have been common provisions for students with learning disabilities (LD).
Jim Delisle, Ph.D., is a Professor of Special Education at Kent State University, where he directs the undergraduate and graduate programs in gifted child education. Jim is a former classroom teacher, special education teacher, and teacher of the gifted and talented. In 1992, Jim took a sabbatical from university teaching to return to full time teaching. He taught a regular fourth grade class.
When you walk on the campus of the Charles Armstrong school you see the work of John Osner. School yards with complicated geometric designs created by his students for math projects and other projects reflect the passion of his teaching and of his students. John as tught children with dyslexia for over twenty years at the Charles Armstrong school.
Language-based learning disabilities (LBLD) encompass a spectrum of cognitive and behavioral differences in processing, comprehending, and using language. Students with LBLD commonly experience difficulties with listening, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, math, organization, attention, memory, social skills, perseverance, and self-regulation. However, a teaching style that is specialized and structured enables students with LBLD to succeed. Learn the essential facts about how to foster the strengths of students with LBLD in this article.
A quality program is so dependent on the excellence of the teaching staff…that really is the key. It is important to hire really good teachers. Fairfax County hires high need teachers, such as special education teachers, under early contracts to make certain they get excellent teachers. Fairfax County also has a good track record in that our students are doing well compared to national standards as well. This helps attract great teachers.
