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This coming of age story focuses around high school Katie and her coming out struggles. Her brother has a mental disability and together they struggle with their families secrets. This story is a great basis for beginning conversations on both disabilities and differences.

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You are going to get a lot of kickback from parents for talking so openly about these topics having an all inclusive classroom. This article talks about the benefits for all and would be awesome to show that it won't 'hurt' their child.

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When kids are found eligible for special education services, it's common for their families to worry that they'll be placed in a different classroom than other kids their age. But most kids who are eligible for special education spend the majority of their time in general education classrooms. Many of those classrooms are what's known as inclusion (or inclusive) classrooms.

In an inclusion classroom, general education teachers and special education teachers work together to meet the needs of all students.

This is key. As Carl A. Cohn, EdD, executive director of the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence, points out, "It's important...to realize that special education students are first and foremost general education students."

Many schools have inclusive classrooms. In part, that's because of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA). This law says that students who get special education services should learn in the " least restrictive environment " (LRE). That means they should spend as much time as possible with students who don't get special education services.

Inclusive classes are set up in a number of ways. Some use a collaborative team teaching (or co-teaching) model. With co-teaching, there's a special education teacher in the room all day.

Other inclusive classes have special education teachers " push in " at specific times during the day to teach (instead of pulling kids out of class to a separate room). In either case, both teachers are available to help all students.

Studies show that inclusion is beneficial for all students-not just for those who get special education services. In fact, research shows that inclusive education has positive short-term and long-term effects for all students.

Kids with special education needs who are in inclusive classes are absent less often. They develop stronger skills in reading and math. They're also more likely to have jobs and pursue education after high school.

The same research shows that their peers benefit, too. They're more comfortable with and more tolerant of differences. They also have increased positive self-esteem and diverse, caring friendships.

Read on to learn more benefits of inclusive classrooms.

1. Tailors Teaching for All Learners

All students learn differently. This is a principle of inclusive education. In an inclusive classroom, teachers weave in specially designed instruction and support that can help students make progress. These strategies are helpful for all students. Kids may be given opportunities to move around or use fidgets. And teachers often put positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) in place.

Another key teaching strategy is to break students into small groups. When teachers use small groups, they can tailor their teaching to the way each student learns best. This is known as differentiated instruction.

Teachers meet the needs of all students by presenting lessons in different ways and using the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework. For example, they may use multisensory instruction. In math, that may mean using visual aids and manipulatives like cubes or colored chips to help kids learn new concepts. (See more examples of multisensory math techniques.)

Some classrooms may have an interactive whiteboard. On it, kids can use their fingers to write, erase, and move images around on the large screen. This teaching tool can also be used to turn students' work into a video, which can be exciting for kids and help keep them engaged.

2. Makes Differences Less "Different"

Inclusive classrooms are filled with diverse learners, each of whom has strengths and challenges. Inclusion gives kids a way to talk about how everyone learns in their own way. They may find that they have more in common with other kids than they thought. This can go a long way in helping kids know that difference is just a normal part of life. It can also help kids build and maintain friendships.

3. Provides Support to All Students

In more traditional special education settings, many kids are "pulled out" for related services like speech therapy or for other specialized instruction. An inclusion class often brings speech therapists, reading specialists, and other service providers into the classroom.

These professionals can provide information and suggestions to help all students. If kids aren't eligible for special education but still need some extra support, they can get it informally.

4. Creates High Expectations for All

In an Individualized Education Program (IEP), a student's goals should be based on the academic standards for their state. Those standards lay out what all students are expected to learn in math, reading, science, and other subjects by the end of the school year.

Differentiated instruction and co-teaching in a general education classroom make it easier for students with standards-based IEPs to be taught the same material as their classmates.

In some schools, only certain classrooms are designated as inclusive. In that case, schools may assign general education students randomly to inclusive or noninclusive classes. Other schools may choose students who benefit from the emphasis on meeting the needs of all learners at all ability levels.

Investigate the supports and services that might be available in an inclusion classroom. Explore the various models of collaborative team teaching. And read an interview with an inclusion specialist about what inclusion looks like in action.

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When kids are found eligible for special education services, it's common for their families to worry that they'll be placed in a different classroom than other kids their age.

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This show might be very flamboyant, but it is hilarious and shows that everyone can change their mind. The five guys (all homosexual) all team up to help bachelors improve their health and get a girlfriend in a part of the US where people don't necessarily agree with homosexuality and they end up loving the guys, their personalities, and how they help them.

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Queer Eye | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix

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A lot of people don't realize they are being racist, sexist, ablist, etc. Little things you do everyday can make people feel terrible. This video really shows how you can make a difference by just watching what you are doing or saying.

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Together We Learn Better: Inclusive Schools Benefit All Children

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Together We Learn Better: Inclusive Schools Benefit All Children

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Even though this article is meant more for adults, I think it would be helpful to show students that inclusion benefits them as well. Theres so many ways that students need to watch out for each other, and this article shows that helping others helps them too. This also might be good to hand out to parents in conjunction with the unit.

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The journey to becoming an Inclusive School may be long and challenging at times, but ultimately this journey can strengthen a school community and benefitALL children. "Inclusion" does not simply mean the placement of students with disabilities in general education classes. This process must incorporate fundamental change in the way a school community supports and addresses the individual needs of each child. As such, effective models of inclusive education not only benefit students with disabilities, but also create an environment in which every student, including those who do not have disabilities, has the opportunity to flourish. Here are some ways in which inclusive educational practices build a school's capacity to educate all learners effectively.

Differentiated instruction increases student engagement.

One of the most important principles of inclusive education is that no two learners are alike, and so inclusive schools place great importance on creating opportunities for students to learn and be assessed in a variety of ways. Teachers in inclusive schools therefore must consider a wide range of learning modalities (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc.) in designing instruction. Certainly this enhances the way in which educators provide supports and accommodations for students with disabilities, but it also diversifies the educational experience of all students.

Academic supports help each student access the full curriculum.

In this age of accountability and high-stakes testing, it is important for educators to ensure that every student is addressing the appropriate standards and objectives across the curriculum. As such, inclusive schools provide academic supports (flexible pacing and grouping, reading and literacy specialists, tutoring, etc.) that create a supportive environment for all learners. It is immediately clear how these supports help students with disabilities and English Language Learners, but inclusive schools can also better challenge and engage gifted and talented learners by building a more responsive learning environment.

Behavioral supports help maintain a positive learning environment for everyone.

Another important factor in effective inclusive education is the implementation of consistent behavioral supports throughout the learning environment. This consistency is essential for the success of students with emotional or behavioral disabilities in the general education environment, but school-wide behavioral supports also help to establish high expectations throughout the school community as a whole.

Respect for diversity creates a welcoming environment for all.

Inclusive education for students with disabilities can only be successful when those students feel that they are truly a part of the school community. This requires open and honest discussion about difference, and an institutional respect for people of all backgrounds and abilities. In inclusive schools, the establishment of such a climate benefits everyone by fostering an environment where students and their families are valued for who they are.

Inclusive practices make effective use of a school's resources.

In the past, special education often involved the segregation of students with disabilities for the purpose of specialized instruction. Not only does that model of special education in a separate setting deprive students with disabilities of interaction with their peers and full access to the curriculum, it can also involve duplicate systems and resources that are costly for schools to maintain. Inclusive education can make more efficient use of a school's resources by maximizing the availability of staff and materials for all students.=

To read more about benefits of inclusive education for all students, check out Improving Education: The Promise of Inclusive Education. This paper is an excellent resource for educators looking to improve and expand inclusive educational practices in their schools. It was developed by the National Institute for Urban School Improvement, a project funded by the United States Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), and it includes examples of inclusive educational environments, assessment and observation tools, and guidelines for supporting inclusive practices.

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Together We Learn Better: Inclusive Schools Benefit All Children

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The journey to becoming an Inclusive School may be long and challenging at times, but ultimately this journey can strengthen a school community and benefitALL children. "Inclusion" does not simply mean the placement of students with disabilities in general education classes.

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Here Comes a Thought - Steven Universe Clip + Lyrics | Mindful Education

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Here Comes a Thought - Steven Universe Clip + Lyrics | Mindful Education

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Many kids are currently watching the show Stephen Universe. This song from the show is all about inclusion and making sure to watch what you say and do to others.

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Here Comes a Thought - Steven Universe Clip + Lyrics | Mindful Education

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MuchMusic: Stream of Conciousness - Diversity

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MuchMusic: Stream of Conciousness - Diversity

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Bringing what kids know into the picture, the Degrassi cast came together to talk about what the stereotypes of them were. They discuss the oppression they've dealt with throughout their education.

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MuchMusic: Sarah Taylor - Stream of Consciousness - Diversity

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Two male penguins decide they want to hatch an egg together, and with the help of the zookeeper, they introduce their new baby into the world. They live happily ever after with their new baby girl, 'Tango'

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Auggie Pullman is starting his first year in a public school. He's nervous because he worries how people will treat him because of his facial deformity. The story follows Auggie's fight for acceptance and inclusion.

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This video introduces the topic of inclusion in the classroom. It gives many different vocabulary words to show people how diversity enriches our lives.

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YouTuber Fixers UK discusses the different ways to talk to/interact with people with disabilities. They're just like everyone else, don't treat them any differently just because you don't understand their exceptionalities.

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Deej is a young man who defied all odds. He had a rough start to life as a nonspeaking autistic with no way to communicate. The documentary follows the story of Deej as he goes on to go to college and live life included in everything he wants to be in.

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Young Lee Fisher doesn't know what's in store for him his Junior Year at Inverness Prep. He starts his year off meeting young Nico, a boy who he feels an insane attraction to. In his world, being homosexual or anything different from 'normal' is frowned upon, so Lee struggles immensely when it comes to fitting into his world.

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The Short Busfollows the long travels of Jonathan Mooney, a man who has experienced a great deal of oppression because of his ADD and Learning Disability. He buys a 'short bus' and travels the world in the symbol of his oppression finding other people like him who have dealt with the oppression of people who don't understand.

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Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

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Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

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This book and movie combo shows the complexities of the mind of a boy living with PTSD. He struggles to fit in in high school and his differences make it even harder for him. However, when he meets a group of people who accept him for who he is, he's able to thrive.

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1.What are the differences and/or disabilities present in today's society?
2. How can we help the students with differences and/or disabilities in this classroom and how can this classroom be a safe space for all?