The article gives great advice, noting practical strategies for the implementation of behavioral techniques in inclusive classrooms. Including ideas for creating a sense of community, forming a safe and responsive learning environment using knowledge from traditional and special education settings, and deciding what considerations and accommodations need to be made to create fair expectations for all students in the class all help to promote a student’s membership in the classroom. Having students form friendships through community-building and helps everyone steer from viewing students with disabilities in the classroom as the “others”. Friendships are fostered with community-building environments, and all students can benefit from the contributions of one another.
The article also outlines the importance of collaboration between teachers and parents to ensure that all students are having their needs met. Collaboration within and outside of the classroom is paramount in making sure that all expectations are met and that students have consistency. The positive behavior support model is a great way to outline expectations for all students, rewarding them for their positive behavior, as long as the interventions are consistent and meaningful for students.
My fourth grade placement utilizes the PBS model, and it works like a charm. My CT has very clear expectations and the student with autism has no problem learning and following the classroom expectations. Having clear and consistent goals and expectations for students is half of the battle when attempting to implement any behavioral suppor program. The student with autism is held to the same standards as all of the other students because the expectations have been clearly outlined for him. There truly are very few behavioral issues in the class, and the consistency of the expectations and actions taken when students exhibit undesired behavior are the reasons for that.
January 31, 2010 at 6:21 pm |
Zaire — you’re right on. Clear, consistent expectations for all students makes the classroom a much more peaceful place. Even students with special needs are capable of upholding classroom rules and expectations when the teacher takes into account her students when setting the rules before the school year even really begins.
I think that’s fantastic that your student with autism performs so successfully in your classroom with regard to classroom rules and expectations. I’d like to know a little bit more specifically what your class’s expectations are since they work so well for all your students.
January 31, 2010 at 6:47 pm |
You are lucky that the PBS model works very well in your class, i feel like it does not work so well in mine. I think it is because my CT is very casual with the children. She lets them run all over the place and she has rearranged the model of the classroom and now the children go to centers and do independent work and switch centers every 20 minutes. I feel as though for about a third of the children, this does not work because they do not stay on task when asked to work independently. So, the assistant and I are constantly trying to get everyone on task and we are having to repeat the directions for the center over and over. It’s a nightmare. When I teach, the children shout out and wander all over even if i have not given them permission…at times i’m afraid that one day i will lose a child b/c they will have just walked right out the door for no particular reason. Also because kids are pulled out left and right for various reasons and the people who take them don’t feel the need to tell anyone.
So, my question about your post is what if the parents are not cooperative and just think their child is an angel? I would have the child write home what they did. But, what if the parents don’t care??? What are we supposed to do then?
February 1, 2010 at 12:55 pm |
Hey Ziare!
Also as we know form our families class collaboration is very important to keep in mind, but it also can be so difficult. Especially, when translators are needed you know? Anyways, I really liked your post, can’t wait to read about your 4th grade classroom next week:)
I totally agree that this article has awesome advice as far as classroom management goes! I really liked the practical strategies for the implementation of behavioral tactics. I think even though I am seeing great practices it is always a good idea to take in as many ideas as I can get along the way!