SunshineSkate
07-24-2007, 05:08 PM
Hi everyone... I teach in a self-contained classroom that has 3rd - 5th graders, about 14 in all. The reading ability varies from primer to 3rd grade, with the average being a first grade reading level.
I have very little time for science and social studies during the day and am thinking of ways to include these subjects during literacy time/centers/reading instruction. With so many different levels of ability and so much I'm supposed to cover according to the standards, where do I begin? The teacher before me taught a super-simplified curriculum but it didn't address the standards... I am thinking of just going through the standards one by one and searching for articles or chapters in books or worksheets that I then can record on tape and have at a center for them to listen to, then answer questions about, but it seems to dull. Since most of these kids can't read independently, they can't access the books in the curriculum that other grades use, nor does the school provide me with enough books for my kids anyway!
What do you other teachers in special education do? I'm really interested in what other self-contained teachers do to cover the standards. Or am I just setting my standards too high?
I have very little time for science and social studies during the day and am thinking of ways to include these subjects during literacy time/centers/reading instruction. With so many different levels of ability and so much I'm supposed to cover according to the standards, where do I begin? The teacher before me taught a super-simplified curriculum but it didn't address the standards... I am thinking of just going through the standards one by one and searching for articles or chapters in books or worksheets that I then can record on tape and have at a center for them to listen to, then answer questions about, but it seems to dull. Since most of these kids can't read independently, they can't access the books in the curriculum that other grades use, nor does the school provide me with enough books for my kids anyway!
What do you other teachers in special education do? I'm really interested in what other self-contained teachers do to cover the standards. Or am I just setting my standards too high?