Concise Directions Foster Inclusion (Monday)

Make directions specific and brief. Use the chalkboard or overhead projector to present written directions and require students to copy them consistently into their organized notebooks. After verbally presenting the directions, ask student volunteers to repeat them. Break multifaceted directions into clear, precise steps.

Building Background Knowledge Fosters Inclusion (Tuesday)

Increase potential for student success by building background knowledge before introducing new material. Before reading an assignment, determine and teach the vocabulary necessary for comprehension. If certain historical facts or explanations will aid comprehension, be certain to provide such a framework. Build connections to students’ lives through real-life applications, examples, and writing assignments. Use the download entitled Building Background Information as a visual aid to help students organize background information.

Accommodate Different Learning Styles (Wednesday)

Use the overhead projector to present information in a variety of ways to accommodate different learning styles and intelligences. The light of the projector actually helps students maintain focus. The written presentation on a transparency aids visual learners. The verbal explanation of the teacher aids auditory learners, and transferring the information to paper will benefit tactile learners.

Focused Instruction Improves Inclusion (Thursday)

Focus students on the task(s) at hand. Have daily objectives readily available to students, either by writing them on the board or on a transparency. Alter task requirements to allow for success of students with differing learning needs. For example, use study guides with key words, facts, questions or concept explanations highlighted. Block portions of the text to maintain focus. Use a cover sheet with the overhead to maintain focus on a specific piece of information. Break longer tasks into smaller, more focused steps. Provide structure and reduce distractions.

Well-Designed Evaluation Fosters Inclusion (Friday)

Design evaluation to meet the needs of students. Give tests orally and accept oral responses to accommodate students with special needs or different learning styles. Highlight specific questions for students to answer, or block off certain portions of the test to accommodate students with differing needs. Use multiple choice tests with only three choices as opposed to fill in the blank, or include word banks with fill in the blank tests.