...Teaching for Exceptionalities Dominick Salafia Grand Canyon University: SPE 526 July 13, 2015 Introduction The following describes the lessons and activities of a two week special education program given by Yuma School District 1. Sessions were on Monday through Friday from 0800 am to 12 pm starting on June 08, to June 15, 2015. The students in this group varied in age and level of disability. I was assigned to a group that was higher functioning with mild to moderate learning disabilities. The sessions consisted of a daily calendar activity that all students participated in and daily learning centers in which the groups were rotated. The theme for the week was farms and farm animals. The learning centers were sensory, writing, reading, math, and social skills, followed by a daily craft activity. There was a special education teacher assigned to each activity. On Fridays there was an excursion, one was to a petting zoo (for disabled children) the other was to the local water playground. Subject In accordance with federal law that protects the privacy of these children I was not permitted to review any IEP’s that the student may have. General information was provided by the teachers. The subject is a 10 year old in the 5th grade boy that has a very quiet and polite disposition. He loves to read comic books, draw, and can carry a conversation; his reading is commensurate for a student at this grade level. He has a slight speech impediment, needs to develop social...
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...What does the phrase ‘individual with exceptionalities’ mean? Slavin (2012) classifies learners with exceptionalities as “any individual whose physical, mental, or behavioral functioning is so different from the norm-either higher or lower- that additional services are needed to meet the individuals’ needs” (p. 355). The development of special education was set in motion in the early 1800s. Some progress was made in regards to how individuals with exceptionalities were treated; however, there was also a period of time where no progress was seen. In fact, instead of progress, for many years things stayed the same for individuals with disabilities, and then there was a decline. Throughout the years, themes developed which impacted the progression...
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...RUNNING HEAD: Exceptionalities Teaching for Exceptionalities Grashal Parker Grand Canyon University: SPE-526 December 2, 2011 Teaching for Exceptionalities Children with learning differences have always been a part of the community. Teaching children with learning differences began as a one on one setting, usually separate from typical schools. In the past, students’ with exceptionalities were often segregated from the regular classroom. Mainstreaming began the process of integrating them with nondisabled students, and inclusion takes the process further by creating a web of services. Special education is often times as diverse as the schools and school systems that incorporate it. Most common approaches include: self-contained classrooms, pullout services, and inclusion. Inclusion is most effective when regular education and special education teachers closely collaborate on instructional adaptations for learners with exceptionalities (Heward, 2009). In every classroom there are students with exceptionalities. These exceptionalities may include a student who has an IEP and needs extra accommodations/modifications or a gifted student that needs to be challenged beyond the curriculum. As an educator, one needs to make sure that each student is able to succeed in the classroom. Talent, imagination and skill are attributes teachers must possess. When working with children who have diverse needs these attributes must be perfected (Fogel, 2005). There may be some areas...
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...SPE-226 Educating the Exceptional Learner Benchmark Assignment: Teaching for Exceptionalities Braydon Smith Grand Canyon University: SPE226 15 November 2013 Abstract This paper reflects on the teacher candidate’s observations of the student “Junior” and the various accommodations that were made for him in various classroom settings. It also discusses different accommodations that could be made in general education classes and special education classes. The paper discusses the need for high school students to be self-advocating or self-determining and learning to make decisions on his or her own. SPE-226 Educating the Exceptional Learner Benchmark Assignment: Teaching for Exceptionalities Students with exceptionalities are a breed all their own. Each student has individual strengths, weaknesses, and individualized education programs/plans (IEPs) tailored to those needs. There are many resources, accommodations, and settings for these students to help ensure their academic success. One particular student, herein called “Junior,” is a mixed bag of interesting. Junior’s cognitive abilities are on par with his classmates. However, he needs help with reading, writing, and other social and behavioral skills. He likes to engage in discussion, enjoys music, and is diligent in his work. Observing him, his teachers, and other various special education classrooms has given valuable information to increase my teaching strategies. Inclusive Math Class Junior’s first period class...
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...Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, Second Edition, by Donald Kauchak and Paul Eggen Published by Prentice-Hall/Merrill. Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc. ISBN: 0-536-29980-3 Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, Second Edition, by Donald Kauchak and Paul Eggen Published by Prentice-Hall/Merrill. Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc. Learner Diversity Differences in Today’s Students T eachers begin their careers expecting to find classrooms like the ones they experienced when they were students. In some ways classrooms are the same. Students go to school to learn, but they also want to have fun and be with their friends. They expect to work but often need encouragement from their teachers. They’re typical kids. Classrooms are changing, however; the population of our schools is becoming increasingly diverse. Students come from different cultures and speak many different languages at home; they possess a range of abilities and talents; and issues involving differences between boys and girls are receiving increased attention. In this chapter we examine this diversity as we try to answer the following questions: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ What is cultural diversity, and how does it influence student learning? How are the educational experiences of boys and girls different? How do schools accommodate ability differences in learners? What are learning styles, and how should teachers respond to them? Who are learners with exceptionalities, and how can...
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...The opportunity of a National Board Certification came on the eve of celebrating fifteen years of teaching. Almost half way through my career as a Special Education teacher, I was enticed by the possibility of a new challenge and intrigued by the notion of a pay increase. The two-year trek toward certification tested both my both personal and professional fortitude. Although the outcome brought great satisfaction, the true benefits came as a result of the journey. Given the complex work demands and complicated students, it’s no surprise that the attrition rates of special educators in public schools are twice that of regular education teachers or that there has been a national shortage of special educators for decades. After fourteen years teaching students across K-12 with various exceptionalities, I was in a teaching slump. Since I had no plans to leave the field, I needed to reflect, revaluate, and rededicate myself to the practice of teaching. The prospect of a National Board Certification was one way I knew I could revitalize my interest and practice. From the beginning,...
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...Play is “a medium for change and a means to foster and enhance language, cognitive, social, and emotional development” (Ivory and McCollum, 1999, p.238). Undertaking the literature review on play made me realize how important and underused play is when working towards improving developmental domains for children with exceptionalities and when promoting learning. The first main finding that stood out to me was that children with exceptionalities display delays in play development (Lifter, Mason and Barton, 2011; Messier, Ferland and Mainimer, 2007; Bray and Cooper, 2007; Hine and Wolery, 2006; and Pierce-Jordan and Lifter, 2005). This is useful information if we want to foster meaningful interactions between children with and without exceptionalities in the inclusive classroom. If some children are using more complex play skills, children with exceptionalities may not be able to keep up if they are unable to play at the same level. This could result in a decrease in the amount of social interaction that takes place between children and to some extent exceptional children may become alienated within the classroom. Exceptional children who are physically present in the classroom but do not belong (their presence isn’t valued) are known as squatters (Kliewer, 1998). In an inclusive classroom all students should be full citizens; Rapp and Arndt (2012) discuss the importance of this. Kliewer (1998) outlines four principles of citizenship: believing in one’s own ability to think...
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...When structuring a teaching segment, assessing and effectively embracing the prior knowledge of one’s students is, perhaps, the most integral piece of the proverbial puzzle that one must solve to develop an effective and engaging lesson. With this emphasis in mind, when developing the teaching segment used for this paper, particular care was taken to analyze and inform myself of the current content knowledge of the students within the class that this lesson would be implemented during. To do this, I coordinated with my mentor teacher to ensure that I would be present at all scaffolding lessons that were related to my lesson on Apartheid. For example, in the weeks leading up to this lesson, my mentor teacher discussed topics including, but not...
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...Educating Learners with Diverse Needs Benchmark Assessment Teaching for Exceptionalities Grand Canyon University: SPE 526 Educating Learners with Diverse Needs February 27, 2013 Kerry Fitzmaurice, Instructor Lesson Plan: Mrs. J. Koneri, Mrs. D. Curry, Mrs. T. Brown Unit: Cellular Division: Mitosis and Meiosis Dougherty High School Essential QuestionsObjectives:Students will be able to: | 1. Which cells in an organism undergo mitosis?2. What are the stages of mitosis and what occurs at each step?3. In what part of the body does meiosis take place? 4. How many chromosomes are found in a somatic cell compared to a sex cell? (gametes)5. What do haploid and. Diploid mean? 6. How does meiosis differ from mitosis? 1. Define, draw, locate using a microscope and give examples of the phases of mitosis, meiosis, cytokinesis, and replication. 2. Compare and Contrast mitosis and meiosis. 3. Explain crossing over and how it contributes to the production of unique individuals. 4. Summarize the major characteristics of spermatogenesis and oogenesis. 5. Describe the structure of a chromosome 6. Explain the differences between sex chromosomes and autosomes. | Standards: | SCSh4. Students use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating scientific Equipment and materials.SCSh8. Students will understand important features of the process of...
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...Educational Philosophy Southern New Hampshire University “A teacher affects eternity: he can never tell where his influence stops,” a quote from Marcus Tullius Cicero. I believe that my role as an educator will forever affect the students that I will encounter. To me my role is more than being a teacher; I play an intricate part in how children perceive education. For the year that I teach those students it will be my actions that will entice children to want to be in school and learn. I will be in the position not only in educating them, but to get to know them as individuals. I believe that by assessing each student for their individual qualities I will be able to provide differentiated instructions to connect with each student. My direction in education is to teach middle school science. I chose the subject of science because I feel that this subject can be difficult to understand and overwhelming. I know for me, I had to work hard to learn and understand certain topics in science. But because of my teachers and the way they taught; I began to love science. That is what inspired me to want to become a science teacher. I look forward to creating a curriculum that will challenge students to apply concepts and analyze results. I want to witness children not only learning, but becoming involved in their education. I see myself as a teacher following several theories immersed in education. One theory I accept as a true concept is the constructivism theory...
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...Teaching for Exceptionalities Benchmark Jettie McGraw SPE 226 February 24th, 2015 Abstract Special education teachers are required to accommodate their student’s special need by maintain and adapting lesson plans to meet their individual need and ability. Adapting the lesson plan to their specific need and ability requires observations, meetings and lots of patience. This essay details my experience within a special education classroom, it includes observations and a detailed accommodated lesson plan. This experience provided me with insight on the daily life of a special education teacher, and prepares me for a future career in teaching. Teaching for Exceptionalities Benchmark Students with special needs require adapted teaching methods that vary from those of their peers. These adapted methods stem from detailed observations, that are then included in an adapted lesson plan that is specific to that child’s need. Each adapted lesson plan has a goal, both short term and long term. These goals are then further extended in the form of evaluations and even more observations that are essential in determining a child’s ability in a core area, which then aides the teacher in creating a lesson plan suitable for this child and their need. It is essential that a special education teacher actively observes her students, evaluates what they have learned, and adapts the lesson plan to their need, to create a learning environment that is developmentally appropriate and educationally...
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...brought by adopting the student-centered education system. Its positive effects could be evidenced in the performance of individual students, teachers, schools and throughout the globe. This learning process is the change needed in the education system all over the world and therefore it is highly recommended for all institutions and the government. Past studies have illustrated the importance of ethics in the educational leadership. For instance, in the article the Union of Teaching, Learning, and Doing, it is stated that things must be done, individuals have got to learn, and those close to them should become teachers…education is not only focused on teaching learners how to learn, however it is teaching them to actively take part in life… Hansen,(2007). The term student centered is the main focus of my proposal and foundation of the ethics in educational leadership. Therefore, I am analyzing the term for better understanding of the whole theme. According to Maryellen Weimer( ), student centered teaching is 1 idea which is based on the following five principles; the balance of power, the contents’ function, the teachers role, the learning responsibility and finally the processes and purpose of evaluation. Student focused learning has a social and academic support scheme as well as healthcare and financial services. The epistemological instructional techniques to promote understanding of human nature and ontological support are also included in the student focused education...
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...Surname 1 Name Course Professor Date Autism Spectrum Disorder All around the world, there are several children and even grow ups that have or suffer from autism. Unfortunately, it is a condition that is not easily detectable especially in children. Most people either do not understand the condition that manifests itself in children or take it for something else all together. For the families that are fortunate enough to identify the condition in children, they at most times have no idea at all on how to handle the child. Most people have misunderstood autism and taken it as insanity in children. It is therefore, necessary to demystify the misinterpretations in most people and make them aware of the condition, and how to handle it when a child is found to be autistic. Autism is a spectrum of closely related conditions or disorders which all have symptoms of a shared core. Every child said to be on the autism spectrum disorder has to some degree problems with communication, social skills, flexible behavior and empathy. However, the degree of disability and symptoms combinations varies enormously from one child to another. Surprisingly, children with the same diagnosis may be very different when it comes to abilities and behaviors. It is vital to note some few facts about autism. Autism is not contagious and is not acquired through environmental contact. It is a neurological disability presumed to be present from birth and apparent before the age of three in a child. Even though...
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...Jasmine Garretson SPE-226 October 3, 2015 Ceri Alhorn Journal 1 Main Points: 1) Parent Involvement is very important in special education because it helps students get the right services that they need have academic success. Teachers and parents communication really can help special needs children progress to their greatest potential. 2) IDEA is Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that helps special education receive funding to support special needs children. Also special needs children are entitled to meets standards of general education curriculum. (Harman, 2014). 3) Cultural and linguistic diversity can have an impact on education because students can be placed in special education just because they speak a different language other than English. Just because a student speaks a different doesn’t mean they should be placed in special needs. 4) Differentiate Instruction is very important and good to use in the classroom because there are many students who have different needs and disabilities. Now that special needs children are able to be a part of general education differentiate instruction is important to use in the classroom. (Drew, 2014). 5) Assistive Technology can be very helpful to students with disabilities and also good for students in general education as well. Technology is a great to use for students with different learning styles. Application: In my classroom I will definitely involve parents because they can help the classroom...
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...cultural and linguistic diversity, while absolutely affecting a students’ academic needs, do not merit placement in a special education setting (SPE-226 Lecture 1, 2015).Many times the students just do not understand English. When a student does not speak English there is a different program for them called English as a Second Language (ESL).IDEA is a law that ensures education to students with special needs. Also known as the zero-exclusion principle, IDEA requires all public schools have special education to meet individual needs of all students, no matter what type or the extent of their disability (Hardman, Drew, Egan, 2013). Based upon my experience in education, I would apply what I have learned so far in this class. I would do so by teaching or helping out in a special needs classroom because I fully understand what it is now and I can keep furthering my knowledge. I have so much more to learn to become the best teacher possible in this area, but I am up for the challenge. As a future teacher, I will make sure that each student gets the correct placement and education. If I see a...
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