Positive Systems & Support



=Positive Behavior Supports, Differentiated Instruction, and Assistive Technology= Roles and Skill Set of a Special Education Teacher

Special Education teachers work with students who have wide variety of mental, emotional, physical, and learning disabilities.They can work in their own classroom, push into a class to provide support and co-teach with a general education teacher.

Skills

◦Critical Thinking Skills

◦Patience

◦Collaboration

◦Strong communication with family, service providers and members of the team

◦Organized

◦Deadline orientated

◦Adaptable

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Positive Learning Environment: What Techniques you can use

When creating a classroom learning environment, it is important to do three things when setting up the class. First, it is important to create a strong connection with your students. In my class, we are based on connection, not consequence. Show interest in your students outside of school. Building a strong connection will allow you to become a trusted adult in their life. Second, hold each student to high expectations. By believing your students can achieve, they will succeed. Make your expectations known and visible. Finally, allow each student to show mastery of content in a variety of ways. Some students will be good at tests and other will prefer projects. By allowing your students to show mastery in different ways, their understanding of the content will deepen.

Techniques and approaches for positive behavior support include: Evidence Based Interactions
 * 1) Routines
 * 2) Taking a "Break"
 * 3) Stating what you want the student TO DO
 * 4) Positive Phrasing
 * 5) Specific Feedback

When teaching, it is important to utilize evidence based practices. Depending on the grade/layout of your class, these instructional interventions can be used. Setting objectives is the first evidence based instruction we do in pre-school. While my student's cannot read, I read the objective to them so they know what we are working on for that day. The second strategy we utilize is cooperative based learning. Because the students are so little, the teacher model how to play and work in a small group. Cooperative based learning is important in pre-school because it helps the students share and learn to wait. The final strategy we use in pre-school is KWL charts. Using KWL charts can help guide our learning. Depending on the unit, the students inform me of what they know and what they want to learn. Using the KWL chart helps guide us in answering questions the students have. At the end of the unit, I will have the students draw and answer a question about what they learned in the unit.

(Marzano, N.D)

Accommodations and Modifications: Assititive Tech and Beyond

Accommodations and Modifications for exceptional learners depend on the student. An accommodation changes HOW the student learns the material whereas a Modification is a change in expectation of material.

GENERAL MODIFICATIONS:
Allow outlining, instead of writing for an essay or major project, Use of alternative books or materials on the topic being studied, Computerized spell-check support, Word bank of choices for answers to test questions, Provision of calculator and/or number line for math tests, Film or video supplements in place of reading text, Reworded questions in simpler language, Projects instead of written reports

BEHAVIOR MODIFICATIONS:
Breaks between tasks, Cue expected behavior, Daily feedback to student, Have contingency plans, Use de-escalating strategies, Use positive reinforcement

General Accommodations:

Alteration of the classroom arrangement, Reduction of distractions, Answers to be dictated, Hands-on activities, Use of manipulatives, No penalty for spelling errors or sloppy handwriting, Follow a routine/schedule, Alternate quiet and active time, Teach time management skills, Rest breaks, Verbal and visual cues regarding directions and staying on task, Agenda book and checklists

(Kessler, N.D)

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Assistive Technology & Tools Assistive Technology helps students work around their challenges so they can learn and communicate better. Using this technology can help them learn more effectively. Assitive Technology will be utilized depending on the students needs. A wheelchair, IPAD and Chromebooks are all examples of technology tools. They can be used to help students speak/type. Assistive technology can be low-tech tools like pencil grips and graphic organizers. The video below goes into greater detail about the benefits of assitive tech.