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Middle and high school teachers can adapt several strategies used by their elementary school peers.

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After more than 12 years of teaching high school English, I experienced what some teachers might call a bit of a mid-career crisis. I craved professional development that didn't come in the form of a typical workshop. In an attempt to use other teachers' classrooms as my own personal curriculum, I decided to leave my job and take a position as an upper elementary instructional coach.

I had the opportunity to observe how effective elementary school teachers create safe, engaging, and productive learning environments for their students. Thinking back to my time teaching high school, I realized that many of these elementary school strategies could be used-with some modifications-with middle and high school students.

Brain Breaks and Focused Attention Activities

When I first witnessed an elementary teacher stopping a lesson so that students could jog in place for a minute, I thought it was just a strategy to keep kids from bouncing off the walls. But over time I realized that the teachers who incorporated frequent brain breaks throughout their lessons were able to keep their students on task for longer bursts of time than those who didn't.

It turns out that both children and teenagers benefit from a one- to three-minute mental and physical break every 30 minutes so that their brains can keep up with the academic and social demands of the classroom.

Taking deep breaths-with meditation apps like Calm-gives students an opportunity to focus on their breathing and harness their energy.

Time-lapse videos (such as nature or food videos) sustain students' attention so they can refocus on learning tasks.

A game of thumb war or rock-paper-scissors gives students an opportunity to partner up for a fun, no-prep activity.

While jogging in place isn't always an option in a room full of teenagers, here are some focused attention activities that do work:

Morning Meeting and More

Morning meetings, student jobs, and other cute elementary classroom traditions are not just for fun. I found that elementary school teachers who used these approaches-which emphasize values like community, respect, and responsibility-had a far easier time implementing academic curricula than those who didn't.

I also observed that the students who didn't appear to feel safe, heard, or seen in the classroom didn't willingly participate in workshops, centers, or other activities-indicating a need for the teacher to reach out or make changes in classroom management.

Set and model clear expectations for kind, constructive student language and behavior. Anticipate, model, and explain behavioral norms before negative incidents occur.

Greet students by name at the door at the start of each class period so they feel seen.

Create an I Wonder wall where students respond to thought-provoking questions. This helps students feel heard and validated. You might designate I Wonder Wednesdays, or mix it up with Thankful Thursdays, Motivational Mondays, etc.

Here are some ways middle and high school teachers can create safe learning communities in their classrooms:

The Value of Manipulatives

Math manipulatives, such as colorful tiles and base 10 blocks, are found in many elementary classrooms. These manipulatives help break down abstract concepts into smaller parts so students can play around with and test different scenarios and solutions to complex problems.

As concepts in math, science, and the humanities get more complex, providing middle and high school students with a space to break down and manipulate abstract ideas allows them to create their own well-supported, logical arguments and proofs.

Online simulators-like Gizmos-allow math and science students to observe, test, graph, and manipulate hypotheses.

Concept maps allow students to visually assess relationships between concepts, problems, and ideas. Once students create maps-using software like Bubbl.us, Coggle, or Padlet-they can make arguments and observations about information.

Here are two ways middle and high school teachers can bring the benefits of manipulatives to their lessons:

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Middle and high school teachers can adapt several strategies used by their elementary school peers. © shutterstock/rawpixel.com After more than 12 years of teaching high school English, I experienced what some teachers might call a bit of a mid-career crisis. I craved professional development that didn't come in the form of a typical workshop.

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Ghost Boy

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FSAA teacher resources

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Training Resources for Florida Educators

All Florida students participate in the state's assessment and accountability system. The Florida Standards Alternate Assessment (FSAA) is designed for students whose participation in the general statewide assessment is not appropriate, even with accommodations, and it implements the requirements of Section 1008.22, Florida Statutes, requiring assessments that accurately measure the core curricular content for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

The FSAA is based on the Florida Standards Access Points (FS-APs) for English language arts and mathematics, and on the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards Access Points (NGSSS-APs) for science and social studies. Access Points are academic expectations written specifically for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

The FSAA program includes two components: the FSAA-Performance Task and the FSAA-Datafolio, which form a continuum of assessment to meet the needs of Florida's students with significant cognitive disabilities.

For each assessment, an interpretive guide related to student and school reports is available for parents, guardians, and teachers: Understanding the Florida Standards Alternate Assessment Performance Task Reports and Understanding the Florida Standards Alternate Assessment Datafolio Reports. Additional information regarding the FSAA is available on the Florida Department of Education website.

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All Florida students participate in the state's assessment and accountability system. The Florida Standards Alternate Assessment (FSAA) is designed for students whose participation in the general statewide assessment is not appropriate, even with accommodations, and it implements the requirements of Section 1008.22, Florida Statutes, requiring assessments that accurately measure the core curricular content for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

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Shelley Moore: Transforming Inclusive Education

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It is important to implement strategies that address the needs of the individual. We recommend that you apply these strategies across home, school, and community contexts.
Go to the Site Map for a full list of resources and activities!

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picture exchange communication system cards

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Do2Learn: Educational Resources for Special Needs

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picture communication cards, songs, games and learning activities for autism, aspergers, fetal alcohol syndrome and disabilities

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The Including Samuel Project is part of the Institute on Disability/UCED, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization at the University of New Hampshire. The project's mission is to build more inclusive schools and communities through curriculum, training, and outreach.

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Think Inclusive | The Official Blog of MCIE

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I don't know which side of the fence you are on regarding inclusive education. And for all intents and purposes...it does not matter. This post could just as easily have been called, No...Really...I'm Not Crazy...Inclusive Education Works! Usually, when I talk to people who are not familiar with the idea of having students with disabilities (including significant disabilities) in the general education setting, they say they are having a hard time "wrapping their head around it" or want to see "what it actually looks like." So...just for those of you who need to see it to believe it, I have picked out five videos that will most definitely change your mind about whether inclusive education is really a good thing or not (or at least they should).

Including Issac

Including Issac is a 13-minute video about a boy with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and his story of inclusion in a private Christian school in Michigan. It takes commitment from a school on all levels to make inclusive education work for students with significant disabilities and this a clear example of how coming together for the benefit of one student can benefit all students. Watch this beautifully filmed and powerful video.

Damian's Inclusion Project

This video was made by the Georgia Department of Education (2011) to highlight a pilot inclusive education program for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in cooperation with Cobb County Schools. Check out the follow-up video to see how Damian progressed through his 4th-grade year (from 2014).

Thaysa

Thasya Lumingkewas, 8, has autism and thrives at Maple Wood Elementary School in Somersworth, NH. The school has implemented Response to Intervention (RtI), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). This film highlights the power of presuming competence, differentiated instruction and augmentative and alternative communication.

Tana Vogele's Story

Every year since Kindergarten, Tana Vogele has been included in general education classrooms despite her significant physical and intellectual disabilities. Watch this compelling video about the friendships that have been nurtured during her 4th grade year and what inclusion does to a classroom and school community.

Axel

AXEL open captioned FINAL HD 1080p from Dan Habib on Vimeo.

This short film (16:39) focuses on Axel Cortes and the staff at Idelhurst Elementary School in Somersworth, NH. Axel is a fifth grader with autism who is non-verbal and exhibited significant behavioral challenges when he arrived at school. Axel came to Idelhurst during his 5th grade year from another school where he was exclusively in self-contained settings and was being taught preschool/kindergarten level. Through effective implementation of supports - including AAC, UDL, RtI, social stories, visual schedules and positive behavioral supports - Axel was able to learn 5th grade general education curriculum in a general education classroom within a few months. His challenging behaviors also decreased, and he thrived through interaction and engagement with 'typical' peers. Once Axel had an effective means of communication, the staff found that Axel was was bilingual and bi-literate (his family speaks Spanish at home).

This film illustrates the potential for students with significant cognitive disabilities to achieve high academic outcomes. The film has received support from the National Center and State Collaborative (NCSC).

The video shows how Axel accesses his environment via Augmentative and Alternative Communication as well as how his classmates accept him into their community. Watch how Axel is learning to type independently and makes strides with communicating his wants and needs in the general education setting.
Sometimes we need to see examples of inclusion to really understand that it is possible and happening all over the world. Perhaps you are the one who can influence your local school to implement inclusive practices.

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5 Videos That Will Change Your Mind About Inclusive Education

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I don't know which side of the fence you are on regarding inclusive education. And for all intents and purposes...it does not matter. This post could just as easily have been called, No...Really...I'm Not Crazy...Inclusive Education Works!

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People First

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FSAA guide

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Checklist

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"DON'T LIMIT ME!"- Powerful message from Megan with Down Syndrome

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Presuming competence

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Disability Etiquette

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Books read aloud

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Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds.

Celebrate #WorldBookDay by watching some of your favorite stars, including @dulehill, @lilytomlin, @oprah and more, reading children's books! With 60+ read-alouds to choose from (each includes a free activity guide) there's something fun for everyone! storylineonline.net/libra...

Jul 6, 2020 · StorylineOnline. 453K subscribers. Subscribe. Calling All Kid Campers (and their Caregivers ...Duration: 1:39
Posted: Jul 6, 2020

Washington DC (Hagerstown MD), Virginia - From your Internet address - Learn more

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Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds. Celebrate #WorldBookDay by watching some of your favorite stars, including @dulehill, @lilytomlin, @oprah and more, reading children's books! With 60+ read-alouds to choose from (each includes a free activity guide) there's something fun for everyone! storylineonline.net/libra...

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brain breaks, movement