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Embracing Disabilities in the Classroom
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Embracing Disabilities in the Classroom
Strategies to Maximize Students’ Assets

Edited by:


March 2008 | 296 pages | Corwin

"The practical aspects of the book provide a wealth of ideas about how educators can make modifications and accommodations for individuals in their classrooms while fostering a positive and inclusive atmosphere."
—Anne Beveridge, Coordinator of Primary Years Program
Branksome Hall, Toronto, Canada

"Provides background historical information, current trends, suggestions for novice teachers, and new ideas for experienced teachers."
—Leslie Hitchens, Special Education Teacher
Crossroads Elementary, St. Paul, MN

Foster positive experiences by differentiating not only instruction but attitudes too!

How we treat others often influences how individuals feel about themselves. This book illustrates how educators can effectively promote sensitive, inclusive classroom practices that maximize success for students with disabilities.

Embracing Disabilities in the Classroom provides content-rich interdisciplinary lessons accompanied by behavioral, academic, and social interventions that capitalize on student strengths. Inclusion expert Toby J. Karten demonstrates the impact of literature, self-advocacy, role playing, and strategic interventions on students' growth and achievement. The numerous lessons, tables, rubrics, instructional guidelines, and charts help readers:

  • Determine effective strategies for differentiating instruction for specific disabilities
  • Modify lessons and curriculum appropriately in the content areas
  • Encourage students to become active participants in learning
  • Increase disability awareness and foster inclusive mind-sets in students, colleagues, and families

This practical resource provides special education and general education teachers, principals, and teacher leaders with both effective instructional strategies for curriculum delivery and responsive approaches to promoting positive attitudes toward disabilities. Given appropriate support and an accepting environment, all students are able to achieve, thrive, and succeed in school and in life!


 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
Part I. Introducing Disabilities
 
1. Historical Background of Disabilities
Chapter Highlights

 
Classroom Connections

 
Ways to Differentiate Attitudes

 
Then to Now

 
Out and About

 
Beyond Terminology

 
Legislation Says...and the Classroom Does

 
 
2. How Others Interact and Acknowledge Disabilities and Differences
Chapter Highlights

 
Classroom Connections

 
Ways to Differentiate Attitudes

 
Dislabeling Activities

 
 
Part II. Classroom Implications
 
3. Entering the Inclusion Classroom
Chapter Highlights

 
Classroom Connections

 
Ways to Differentiate Attitudes

 
Assessing, Modifying, & Adapting the Curriculum

 
Capitalize on Strengths: What to Minimize & Maximize

 
 
4. Mastering the Curriculum
Chapter Highlights

 
Classroom Connections

 
Ways to Differentiate Attitudes

 
Presenting Curriculum

 
 
5. Content-Related Strategies and Lessons
Chapter Highlights

 
Classroom Connections

 
Ways to Differentiate Attitudes

 
Their Strategies, Not Ours!

 
Put Me in Coach!

 
It’s All in the Presentation!

 
Reading Curriculum Concerns

 
Appropriate Reading & Language Arts Accommodations, Adaptations, and Strategies for Lessons

 
Writing Curriculum Concerns: Write On!

 
Mathematics Curriculum Concerns: Math Matters, Too!

 
Other Curriculum Lessons

 
 
6. Instructional Differentiation and Sensitivities That Respond to Students’ Behavioral, Social, Emotional, and Perceptual Needs
Chapter Highlights

 
Classroom Connections

 
Ways to Differentiate Attitudes

 
 
Part III. Schools, Families, and the Future
 
7. Increasing Disability Awareness and Better Attitudes for Families and All Communities
Chapter Highlights

 
Classroom Connections

 
Ways to Differentiate Attitudes

 
 
8. Future Horizons for Disabilities
Chapter Highlights

 
Classroom Connections

 
Ways to Differentiate Attitudes

 
Commitments to Students’ Achievements

 
 
Appendix A: Differentiating and Assessing Attitudes With Ability Awareness Rubrics
 
Appendix B: Enabling vs. Challenging Your Students
 
Appendix C: Student Data Documentation
 
Appendix D: Increasing Communications and Collaboration
 
References
 
Index

"The practical aspects of the book provide a wealth of ideas about how educators can make modifications and accommodations for individuals in their classrooms while fostering a positive and inclusive atmosphere."

Anne Beveridge, Coordinator of Primary Years Program
Branksome Hall, Toronto, Canada

"Addresses a very critical and pertinent topic in education today. It is so important that the needs of students with disabilities be met to give them the opportunity to succeed."

Kathy Sessions, Emotional Behavioral Disorder Teacher
Cannon Falls Elementary School, MN

"Very informative. Provides background historical information, current trends, suggestions for novice teachers, and new ideas for experienced teachers."

Leslie Hitchens, Special Education Teacher
Crossroads Elementary School, St. Paul, MN

“A must-have resource for all educators, this book is filled with creative, hands-on strategies for children of all ages and grade levels K-12 in all content areas. Both general and special educators will find a variety of practical, valuable strategies that they can use immediately in the classroom. Karten has written another winner!”

Lynn DeCapua, Assistant Professor of Education
Georgian Court University

"An obvious wealth of information, Karten continues to offer the latest strategies to maximize student success in the special education setting! An exceptional resource for those looking for an understanding of not only the history and legislation, but also the content lessons that work!"

Fatima Ramirez, Special Education Teacher
Northern Highlands Regional High School, Allendale, NJ

"As a beginning teacher, I have used Karten's previous books for great ideas for starting my teaching career. This book provides the same great examples and strategies not only for special education teachers, but for ALL teachers!"

Kristi Tinnes, Special Education Teacher
Somerset Hills Learning Institute, Highbridge, NJ

"Karten has put together an excellent resource that should be a must-have for all professionals in special education. She provides not only an excellent background of special education in the classroom, but also a comprehensive source to aid in quick and easy activity plans. The book helps both the novice and the expert special educator identify functional and meaningful strategies that work in the school setting."

Michele Kaplan, Speech Language Pathologist
Manalapan Englishtown Regional School District, NJ

"Karten clearly outlines a practical path to meeting the needs of all learners."

Gregory Duffy, Principal
Lafayette Mills School, Englishtown, NJ

"This is a must for all educators, current and future. The clear lessons help new teachers adapt their weekly plans to benefit all students."

Lori DiSarro, Special Education Teacher
Rahway High School, NJ
Key features

This resource features:

  • Lessons, tables, rubrics, and charts that show appropriate differentiation strategies for specific disabilities in the classroom
  • Appendices with reproducibles to increase and improve interactions, information, and introspection about disabilities in school settings
  • Strategies and lessons for teachers who want to uplift students by strengthening their abilities and minimizing their disabilities

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