student teacher

[cindy]

Hi, I am a student teacher at CSUF and we have an assignment to interview a teacher over the internet. Can anyone help out by answering a few questions? 1.) How do you differentiate the curriculum for special needs students in social studies? 2.) How do you integrate multicultural issues into the classroom? Thanks for your help! Cindy

[Rebecca]

I can help you out a little bit if your interview doesn't have to be with a Californian teacher. You mentioned that you're at CSUF so that'd be Cal State U, Fullarton? I'm a teacher in Alberta, a Canadian province.

If I can help, email me directly at purecity@yahoo.com and just mention in your email that you're the person from this posting.

[Terri]

I usually create a mod sheet for each student in our inclusion class. Each assignment has a mod set based on their IEP goals. This works really well. It takes more time, but it's really worth it.

[Unregistered]

Cindy,
I am a student teacher, also, in Washington State. A couple of suggestions for you would be:
1. Give the students a choice of project to do in the social studies classroom. Perhaps an oral report, a fact filled (and beautifully created) poster to share with the class, group work with someone else doing the scribing while the special ed student gathers some info. Using literature as resources is sometimes easier to find lower level, interesting books that cover the same material as the often dry-reading textbook.
2. Bringing multicultural study into the classroom can be done in a number of ways. Invite the parents of a current student in to talk about their culture. Have students each bring in one item of special interest to themselves from home, and talk about its significance. Read alouds about different cultures are a great starting place, then ask kids to research further. Music from other cultures can often bring a new view, too. Gather art samples, or books that show art from other cultures, have the kids make their own creations while the music plays in the background.
Good luck with your career!
Robin