Accommodations and Modifications
Accommodations, modifications, and alternative assessments may be necessary for a special needs child to succeed while working on materials for learning. A student who cannot read nor write at grade level may be able to understand and participate in discussions about material that is read aloud and taught at the child's age-appropriate level. A child who cannot recall basic number facts may be able to do grade-appropriate problems using a calculator or working with number facts chart. A student with cerebral palsy may be able to take part in modified physical education with special equipment and carefully chosen exercises. The terms accommodations and modification are frequently used interchangeably, but they are not identical in their effect on teaching and learning. Because IDEA is a federal law, it primarily guarantees an appropriate, free, public education. Accommodations offer alternative ways for students to acquire information or share what they have learned with you.
The Florida Center for Reading Research
Math for Smarty Pants
Subitizing and Guided Math Groups: Part 2 Why it is so important!
Posted on December 15, 2010. Filed under: During the Guided Math Lesson, Elementary math, Graphic Organizers, Guided math, Guided math with Dominos, Math is a Language | Tags: beginning addition, domino math, dot cards, Elementary math, fact sort, Guided math, math talk, mathematical thinking, subitizing | Subitizing provides a basis for early addition skills. Different arrangements help children to see and discuss different ways to name a number. Ten frames are another tool to use to build subitizing skills. Here are some game ideas. 1. 2. 3. 4. Great Resources for Subitizing: There is a new video out by Marilyn Burns called Number Talks that shows a teacher using dot cards and ten frames. References
1st Grade - get2MATH K-5
Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction. 1. Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.1 2. Solve word problems that call for addition of three whole numbers whose sum is less than or equal to 20, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem. Cognitively Guided Instruction Word Problem Chart SD Counts Word Problems Understand and apply properties of operations and the relationship between addition and subtraction. 3. Shake n' SpillHeads and TailsIn and Out 4.Understand subtraction as an unknown-addend problem. Missing Part cards (Van de Walle)What's Missing? Add and subtract within 20. 5. Counting on, back activities +1, +2 games-1,-2 games 6. 7. 8. 2. . 4.
Questioning Toolkit
Essential Questions These are questions which touch our hearts and souls. They are central to our lives. They help to define what it means to be human. Most important thought during our lives will center on such essential questions. What does it mean to be a good friend? If we were to draw a cluster diagram of the Questioning Toolkit, Essential Questions would be at the center of all the other types of questions. All the other questions and questioning skills serve the purpose of "casting light upon" or illuminating Essential Questions. Most Essential Questions are interdisciplinary in nature. Essential Questions probe the deepest issues confronting us . . . complex and baffling matters which elude simple answers: Life - Death - Marriage - Identity - Purpose - Betrayal - Honor - Integrity - Courage - Temptation - Faith - Leadership - Addiction - Invention - Inspiration. Essential Questions are at the heart of the search for Truth. Essential Questions offer the organizing focus for a unit.
Learning to Write on the iPad
Lots of people have been asking about using the iPad as a way of teaching young students to write. I personally would not advocate this as the primary way of teaching youngsters the intricacies of handwriting and letter recognition but as fun supplementary activity it might provide some motivation. Here are a couple of fun apps that reinforce some of the basic writing skills taught by parents and teachers. School Writing: $4.99 AU School Writing allows the teacher to prepare lessons using written instructions, unique images and audio instructions, to which the student can respond using written and audio recordings. iWriteWords: $2.99 AU iWriteWords teaches your child handwriting while playing a fun and entertaining game. Alphabet Board: $1.99 AU A fun way to learn to write! rED Writing - Learn to Write: $1.99 AU Co-designed by an Australian teacher for children aged 3-7 years old, rED Writing contains 8 education approved handwriting fonts used throughout Australian schools. Letter sounds.
Tech Tools for Students with Learning Disabilities: Infusion into Inclusive Classrooms
By: Jane Quenneville (2001) The potential for assistive technology in general education classrooms for students with disabilities is great. Its benefits include enhancing academic achievement in written expression, reading, mathematics, and spelling; improving organization; and fostering social acceptance. As defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (IDEA), an assistive technology device is "any piece of equipment, or product system. . . that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities" [Part A, Sec. 602(1)]. For students with learning disabilities (LD), technology can be an assistive tool replacing an ability that is either missing or impaired. Computer supports for writing Computers change the writing process by making it easier to develop and record ideas, to edit ideas, and to publish and share with others. Talking word processors Samples of talking word processors for student use: References
Back Issues
Say No to Retention Retention Does Not Work From a parent: Except of an article by Jayne Matthews Published in the Baltimore Times It did not seem possible, but my son's second year of first grade was even less successful than his first. His kindergarten and first grade teachers had given me many reasons for his inability to read: he was not paying attention in class, he chose to guess at words instead of taking the time to sound out the letters, and he was a "slow" learner with a poor memory. These explanations were puzzling to me. I totally disagreed with the idea that his guessing at words was a choice. To read the entire article, go to: www.dys-add.com/SonRetained.pdf From the professionals: Grade retention does NOT improve academic performance. As Senator Paul Wellstone stated: "The bad effects of retention have been clearly established. The American Federation of Teachers says: "Social promotion and grade retention are mechanical responses to an educational problem. The U.S. 1. 2. 3.
Literacy Journal: Only 1 iPad in the Classroom?
[for additional ELA/Reading specific apps and ideas see Reading on the iPad] Is only one iPad in a classroom worth it? This question keeps reappearing on the EC Ning and in other blog spaces. The answer is easy: YES, especially if the teacher has access to a Mac desktop or (preferably) laptop and a wifi network in the classroom. If more iPads are in the future, you might want to check out iPad App Reviews and iPad 3C's: Some Planning Questions. Setup and Projection You will definitely need to set up a unique Apple ID (iTunes acct.) with a password that is kept secret from the students. OK - I have apps, now what can I do with them?
