Kentucky Department of Education

 

Adapting Instruction Easily
As a teacher of any special needs student you are legally bound to adapt materials instruction based upon the agreement in the student's IEP.  Below are documents and tips to easy adaptation that are helpful to the student and easy on you.

 

Behavior is Learned & Can be Taught
Two Major Types of Behavior with Special Population Students   To most people's surprise behavior in students is learned from some experience in their life.  This behavior may be positive or it may be negative.  All inappropriate behaviors that occur in the classroom fit into one of two categories:   Inappropriate ... More

 

Characteristics of Good Proactive Rules
Classroom rules are the backbone of any proactive strategy to reduce problem behaviors.  There should be a minimum expectation for behavior for every student in the classroom which the rules describe.  All students should be expected to follow these rules.  Once an exception to the rules is made for a "special" ... More

 

Common Classroom Misbehaviors with Suggested Corrective Strategies
While no resource can prepare a teacher for every misbehavior that will occur, there does seem to be some consistency in the types of misbehaviors teachers face today.  Likewise, all strategies do not work for all students; however, through trial and error, teachers are finding effective strategies for handling these common ... More

 

Dealing with Poor Attitudes
Poor student attitudes and apathy in the classroom is a problem that every teacher faces.  However, these obstacles are not insurmountable.  There are 4 steps a teacher can take to combat these attitudes: 1. The teacher must pique student interest. 2. The teacher should encourage participation in student organizations. 3. The ... More

 

Engaging Students
In order for students to understand what teachers are trying to say, they have to hear what the teachers are saying! Engaging students is a daunting task, but there are ways to get your information through to them.   Here are some Classroom Management techniques to help engage your students.   ... More

 

Establishing Classroom Rules
One of the keys to having effective classroom management is to have a discipline plan.  One component of a discipline plan is to establish effective classroom rules at the beginning of the year.  Students need to know rules, routines and procedures at the beginning of your class, before you start to ... More

 

Important Reminders
Special Population Students Need STRUCTURE Just like all students, special needs student require constant and consistent structure in their learning environment.  Any sway to this can cause behavior problems to erupt.  Try to keep things as structured as possible with clear and concise instruction along with sticking with routine events.   ... More

 

Involving Parents/Guardians
Parents can be a key person to have in your corner when it comes to the instruction of their child.  By keeping the parents informed and updated the lines of communication will be open, and there will be less likely of a chance of misconstrued information from occurring.  It is especially ... More

 

Maintaining Professionalism
Maintenance of a healthy student and teacher relationship is vital to the proper management of any classroom environment.  The teacher has the responsibility of remaining in control of the classroom at all times.  This control is not limited to student behavior but also includes the teacher's own personal behavior.  The following ... More

 

Modifying Student Behaviors-Related to Specific Behaviors
All teachers face problems to some degree from encounters with difficult students, which may lead to loss of control in the classroom.  Other misbehaviors may not be to this extreme, but they do, however, disrupt the classroom and detract from the learning process.  These problems are not unique to one teacher ... More

 

Mutual Respect
This section provides sources of information on how to gain respect from students within your class, how to be professional as a new or experienced teacher, and strategies to implement to create a positive, and inviting classroom environment.  Sources listed below include websites, books, and articles.

 

Options in Selecting Consequences When Inappropriate Behavior Continues
Option 1:  Ignoring the Behavior   When appropriate, ignoring a behavior may send a message that the behavior is not worthy of a response.  Ignoring should follow a gentle verbal reprimand showing the student the teacher is not condoning the behavior.   First, carefully evaluate whether ignoring might be an effective ... More

 

Time Management
As teachers become more and more accountable for student success, taking advantage of every minute of class time becomes crucial. Efficient use of class time can increase student performance and decrease teacher anxiety.   Here are some Classroom Management techniques regarding efficient use of class time (class schedule will effect the ... More

 

Websites Related to Specific Special Needs Population
Risk Factors: Dropouts -  www.dropoutprevention.org Suicide -  www.afsp.org Delinquency - www.childrensdefense.org   Diversity & Multicultural Education We Hold These Truths to Be Self Evident - http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/CMathison/truths/truths.html   Gifted & Talented Northwest Educational Technology Consortium -  www.netc.org   Visual & Hearing Impairments American Council of the Blind - www.acb.org   Physical & Health Impairments  Diabetes ... More