About.com Special Education

Setting Limits

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:52:04 +0000

There are times when you'll want to negotiate with your child or student and there are times where you won't. Know your negotiables. For instance, if a child misbehaves and you have a consequence in place for the specific misbehavior, this is not a time to negotiate. However, if a child wants to change the time that homework would normally be done, this may be a time to negotiate. In any event, your child needs to be well aware of the limits. Set your limits together with these 5 steps and, know what to avoid when giving consequences. Most importantly, remember to catch them doing something right and reward them.

Reading: What To Do When They Get Stuck

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 12:49:08 +0000

Miscue analysis is a process where one analyzes the strategies the reader uses when the reader gets stuck. It is what most educators use to support a struggling reader or a reader at risk. The best teachers of reading will use miscue analysis to determine the areas of weakness in a reader and then teach strategies for that area of weakness. For instance, as students read:

Do they skip words when the words are unfamiliar?
Do they look to the pictures for cues?
Do they try to sound out the word?
Do they use context to guide them?

Using miscue analysis helps guide instruction to where the reader needs it. Find out how you can be a better teacher of reading by understanding miscue analysis.

See also the Cloze Worksheets (fill in the blanks).

Getting Them Motivated

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:50:01 +0000

Here we are well into the second term and they're just not motivated! You're not alone! Motivating students is a challenge for most educators. However, remember to keep your expectations high (achievable but high) as you'll always want them to strive for the best, and keep your learning activities interesting, you want to engage your students regardless of subject. Keeping students motivated is always an ongoing challenge, one that you'll strugge with on and off throughout your career. Be sure to maximize differentiated instructional approaches and adhere to the helpful suggestions of keeping them motivated. For those with learning disabilities, try these strategies.

The IEP Meeting, Be Prepared.

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 19:24:49 +0000

If this is your first time going to an Individual Education Program IEP meeting, I have two words of advice: Be prepared! This article helps you do just that. You'll find out what you should bring in the way of an IEP binder or portfolio and what to expect when you get there. Do not be intimidated by an IEP meeting, it's an informal meeting about putting the needs of your child first to ensure that the best possible program is in place. And, remember, you are allowed to tape the discussion at the IEP meeting which might just be helpful.

You might also want to check out the Basics of Special Education to help you understand what it's all about.

Lend Your Helping Hand to Help a Child who Struggles With Writing

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:52:13 +0000

With keyboards and text messaging taking such a strong hold, many parents tell me that their children just don't like to write or really struggle with writing. Unfortunately, it's still the most common tool in schools and most likely will be until each child has access daily to the technology. Use the checklist to determine if your child struggles with writing by determining if they have more weaknesses than strengths. Once you have determined the areas of need (weaknesses) start addressing them slowly, focusing about 15 minutes daily.

Mental Illness Hand in Hand With Autism?

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:15:03 +0000

Experts are beginning to think that up to 50% of children with development disabilities may also have mental illnesses, however, physicians often don't diagnose the mental heath issue in the presence of autism. Sometimes sedatives, anti-psychotic drugs and tranquillizers are prescribed for the negative or bursts of violent behavior even though there hasn't been a diagnosis of a mental illness.
See the full story in: The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (1/27)

Beware of Bullying

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 08:00:49 +0000

All too often, the child who is getting bullied is afraid to let the teacher or parent know that they are being bullied. Why? This child is afraid of the repercussions from telling on the bully in the event that the bully finds out he/she was ratted out. Bullyhelp.org reports that: 1 out of 4 kids is bullied and that 1 out of 5 kids admits to being a bully. It is important for both parents and educators to understand what bullying is and how you can help the child who is getting bullied. Do your part to reduce the incidents of bullying.

So You Think You'd Like to be a Special Educator?

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:17:05 +0000

Here is a great starting point, be sure to answer the 10 questions to see if you have what it takes. You'll also want to see what the survey says about the qualities that special educators need.

Working with students who have special needs can indeed be a rewarding career but the desire must be in place in order to best support these students. Good luck!

Integrating Social Skills

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:35:39 +0000

How about 'Shaky Day' or 'Social Circles' or 'Negotiation Week' to add a little social skill enhancement to your weekly schedule? Social skill development helps to build good character and not all students develop them by osmosis! Many students will benefit from the ongoing teaching, role modeling and the fostering of good social skills. Be sure to try some of the ingredients here for a great recipe to enhance social skills in any classroom.

Wages Based on Tiered Levels of Teaching?

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 15:03:47 +0000

In my educational jurisdiction, pay increases by years of experience, up to 11 years. There are also pay increases for additional qualifications (AQ) up to 2 AQs and then it stops which is the unfortunate reason why many educators stop upgrading. Unless of course the workshops or professional development is free. However, in Alabama a commision is recommending pay based on the following levels of teaching:

Apprentice teacher,
classroom teacher,
pro�fessional teacher,
master teach�er,
and learning designer.

Each level of teaching has additional pay but with each additional level comes additional responsibility. Although some aspects of this sound good, will there be enough mutual respect between the master teacher and the classroom teacher? Sometimes these situations cause tension. What are your thoughts? Post a comment if you're up for sharing.
Full Article.