inclusion
DESCRIPTION
This is a presentation that was given at the Ohio Middle School Association conference.TRANSCRIPT
Co-TeachingThe Power of Two...
The Reality…Following the Philosophy
PRESENTERS
• Robin Frederick: 7th grade intervention specialist/DH
• Loretta Fansler: 7th grade intervention specialist/LD
• Brad Fuhrer: 7th grade social studies & all around nice guy
Tiffin, Ohio
Tiffin
“The Education Community”
Tiffin Middle School• 6th,7th & 8th grades• 2 teams, each grade• Total population- 734• Special needs
students- 115• Programs: LD, DH,
& SBH• Cross-categorical:
TBI, HI, OHI, tourettes, autism, etc,...
History of Co-teaching at TMS• 1993- Reorganized to a Middle School• 1993- Inclusion of DH students in Ohio
History & Health (LD students mainstreamed)
• 1994- Inclusion of LD students in Civics• 1996-Block scheduling which allowed
common planning time• 1996- Inclusion of LD students in Math• 1998- Inclusion of DH students in Science• 2002- Lack of funds, schedule flexibility...
History Continued...
• 2003- no team planning• 2004- still no team planning, damn it!• 2005- inclusion in:
– social studies– science– math
“Our fearless leader”
I can’t takeit anymore!
We love our jobs!
Co-Teaching Before After
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are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and aPhoto - JPEG decompressor
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Before AfterCo-Teaching
InclusionTraditional & Co-Teaching
• LD mainstreamed,
serviced in Resource
room
• No modified tests &
worksheets
• More discipline problems
• More classroom
management problems
• Lower success rate
• Students serviced in the
classroom
• Modified tests &
worksheets
• Fewer discipline problems
• Fewer classroom
management problems
• Higher success rates for all
students
Inclusion Philosophy Vs. Reality
• All students should have
the opportunity to learn
in the mainstream with
specialized services
provided
• Inclusion: meeting needs
of all students in the
classroom with in class
support
• Can they? Not without a lot
of work! Modify, adapt,
modify, adapt and then do it
some more!
• Yes, two heads are better
than one!
Inclusion Philosophy Vs. Reality
• Collaboration: teachers, students, parents, administrators
• Belief that students with disabilities should be integrated into the mainstream whether or not they can meet traditional curricular standards
• Ha! Ha!
• Not all staff members
will support inclusion or
team teaching
Inclusion Philosophy Vs. Reality
• Teacher planning, collaboration, and training is necessary for success
• Just do it!
Volunteers Needed:
• General Education Teachers• Special Education Teachers
Qualifications
• Risk taker• Open to suggestions• Open to criticism• Student advocate• Flexible
Types of Teaching
• Reverse Inclusion• One teach, One drift• Diversified study time• Classroom consistency• Preparation on demand• Interactive teaching• Humor in the classroom• Break away
Strategies & Ideas• Whip around• Fact of the day• Technology (smartboard, powerpoint, phonic
ear)• Folders• Study guides• Adapted/modified tests, worksheets• Community/school projects (friendly
competitions between homerooms)• Incentive programs (TEAM TMS, Blue Crew
Bucks, Stamps, Lunch Bunch, Student of the Month , the Month of Manners, bug roll)
More Strategies & Ideas
• Think write• Happy grams• Case managing• Skim & Shift• Books on tape• Class room starters• Question of the week
Even More Strategies & Ideas
• Tag Team reading• Word of the Day• Lame Games• Color Overlays• Slantboards
Are Two Heads Better Than One?
Let’s Ask the Experts
Survey says...
• Do you get more help when there are 2 teachers in the room?
• Do you behave differently when there are 2 teachers in the room?
• Do you ask more questions when there are 2 teachers in the room?
• Do you get better grades in the inclusion classes than the other classes?
Yes No
89% 11%
34% 66%
44% 56%
74% 26%
More Survey Results...
• Do you do a better job on your homework in your inclusion classes?
• Do you answer more questions in your inclusion classes?
• Do you pay closer attention to the teacher in your inclusion classes?
• Do you wish all of your classes could be inclusion classes?
Yes No
77% 23%
49% 51%
72% 28%
70% 30%
Student Benefits
• Increased homework completion rate• More opportunity for teacher contact throughout
the day• Opportunity to respond increases• More students get assistance• Seeking assistance is commonplace• Helps students build relationships with teachers
More Student Benefits
• Learning modes are more easily accommodated• Opportunity for individual, small group or large
group instruction• Daily work habits are reinforced and monitored
(KST)• Social acceptance• Conducive to parent support
Teacher Benefits
• Not isolated (no man is an island)• Fun• Brainstorming• Parent conferences are more effective• Share and learn expertise and strategies• More innovation (Ruts-R-Us no more!)• Fewer discipline problems• Incidental collaboration
More Teaching Benefits
• Teacher chores are shared• Shared accountability• Change of routine due to teacher absence is kept
to a minimum
In conclusion...
Teaching is the profession that makes all other professions possible.
Thank you for attending our presentation.