new at inclusion

[Renny]

Help! We began full inclusion this year. I've had no training and am baffled. My kids are overwhelmed. I keep telling them not to worry, that we will work it all out, but the truth is that I don't have a clue what to do. Ours is a very small school. I am the only Sped teacher for grades 6 - 8. I have 11 students spread over 3 classrooms during each 50 min. period. I need to clone myself. I can't figure out how to modify curriculum that is 3 - 4 instructional levels above my student's ability. I've asked for help from my Sped. Director and was told that help was coming but she can't say when.

[Unregistered]

We were told to talk to our principals about placing the students in one classroom if possible. You did not say how many students that you have in each grade. This might help you.

Good luck

[Renny]

I have no more than 4 in each grade, but that still leaves me needing to be in 3 places at once. I found out today that help is on the way. An inclusion workshop is planned for all teachers in October. If I can only keep it together until then. I am modifying lessons when needed and making accommodations when needed but I'm doing it all and I don't feel like I'm doing a good job of it.

[Unregistered]

Have you asked the regular education teachers for help? Inclsion means it is also their responsibility to make sure the students in that class are getting the most out of it. This may mean they have to make a simplified study guide of the material that is being covered in class for your students. Just remember that Inclusion is designed so that you do not have to do all the work. You can not expect to teach students in 3 different classes when you can only be in one. In reality you should be telling the teachers what your students accommodations are so that they can make the necessary adjustments. You should of course be able to be in and out to add to the lessons as much as possible and assist students with material, but spreading yourself this thin won't help anyone. Remember, you should all be working as a team. Help your school get the mindset that the students with dissabilities are not "your kids" they are students, just like the rest, who need extra help.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

Have you asked the regular education teachers for help? Inclsion means it is also their responsibility to make sure the students in that class are getting the most out of it. This may mean they have to make a simplified study guide of the material that is being covered in class for your students. Just remember that Inclusion is designed so that you do not have to do all the work. You can not expect to teach students in 3 different classes when you can only be in one. In reality you should be telling the teachers what your students accommodations are so that they can make the necessary adjustments. You should of course be able to be in and out to add to the lessons as much as possible and assist students with material, but spreading yourself this thin won't help anyone. Remember, you should all be working as a team. Help your school get the mindset that the students with dissabilities are not "your kids" they are students, just like the rest, who need extra help.

if the kid can't handle regular ed, then he shouldn't be in regular ed. The entire argument of "least restrictive environment" is great for the sped kid, but not so great for the 24 reg ed kids that have to slow down their progress because one kid is dumped into their class that is 3 grade levels behind (due to non-compliance, not some phantom ADHD)

[Unregistered]

if the kid can't handle regular ed, then he shouldn't be in regular ed. The entire argument of "least restrictive environment" is great for the sped kid, but not so great for the 24 reg ed kids that have to slow down their progress because one kid is dumped into their class that is 3 grade levels behind (due to non-compliance, not some phantom ADHD)





The frase "least retrictive environment" is not used to described students-it is used to describe school's budget. Inclusion is a lot cheaper than resource. The is nothing un-restrictive about placing a child with severe disabilities in a reg ed environment where they cannot keep up with the other students.

I agree with choc-there are so many non-disabled kids in sped that it has become impossible to devote resources for the kids with actual disabilities. There is absolutely no reason why a mentally retarded child or an autistic child should be in a reg ed room.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

The frase "least retrictive environment" is not used to described students-it is used to describe school's budget. Inclusion is a lot cheaper than resource. The is nothing un-restrictive about placing a child with severe disabilities in a reg ed environment where they cannot keep up with the other students.

I agree with choc-there are so many non-disabled kids in sped that it has become impossible to devote resources for the kids with actual disabilities. There is absolutely no reason why a mentally retarded child or an autistic child should be in a reg ed room.


You're right, too many kids whose only disability is discipline is causing problems for the kids who are actually disabled.

SPED is designed for the mentally or physically challenged, NOT an overly impulsive kid diagnosed ADD/ADHD because their parents don't know how to parent.

LAZY should not warrant an IEP, but all to often, it does.

[Unregistered]

You're right, too many kids whose only disability is discipline is causing problems for the kids who are actually disabled.

SPED is designed for the mentally or physically challenged, NOT an overly impulsive kid diagnosed ADD/ADHD because their parents don't know how to parent.

LAZY should not warrant an IEP, but all to often, it does.







Part of the problem is that society acts as though every child should be on a level playing field. While this is very nice in theory it will never happen in reality. If a child has a slightly below average IQ then then kid has to work harder than everyone else. Some may say this is unfair but I disagree. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. When I was in college I never had to study or put in any real effort yet I still graduated with honors. I'd see my friends study and still bomb tests-but I knew it balanced out in other areas. In highschool I had to get up a hour early each day to practice soccer drills. I am very uncoordinated and had to work harder than anyone else just to stay on the team.

We may not have any responsibility for our aptitudes, but we are responsible for our accomplishments. Life is not easy and no one-not even a teacher-owes you success.